Student Attitudes towards Chemistry: an Examination of Choices and Preferences

Abstract

Chemistry is one of the foundations of science, technology and industry. It forms the fundamentals of the life sciences. This study, aims to investigate what make students choose or not to choose Chemistry and what are the main factors that contribute to the understanding of Chemistry as a subject? Four aspects were used to appraise students’ attitudes towards Chemical education, including student’s perceptions toward Chemistry, the concept of chemical knowledge and its understanding, application of chemical knowledge and understanding and career, help and school, using a questionnaire technique. Respondents indicated that students were positive with most statements to support their education, despite the perception that Chemistry is a difficult subject. Furthermore, respondents indicated that Chemistry is an interesting and not a boring subject, which certainly demands more attention to raise its status. Having help at home and from teachers were important factors that play significant roles in the student’s preference to Chemistry but there is a disfavoured option for various careers, which may hinder student’s interest in Chemistry.