<p>
<b>TABLE OF CONTENT </b> <b> PAGES</b></p><p>Declaration------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii</p><p>Certification
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii </p><p>Dedication
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv </p><p>Acknowledgement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------v </p><p>Abstract
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-------------------vi </p><p>Definition of terms
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii </p><p>List of abbreviation and Symbols
---------------------------------------------------------------------------viii </p><p>
Chapter ONE
:1.1 Introduction
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-------------------1 </p><p>1.1.1 Theoretical Framework
----------------------------------------------------------------- 13</p><p> 1.2 Statement of the Problem
---------------------------------------------------------------- 16</p><p> 1.3 Objectives of the Study
--------------------------------------------------------------------17 </p><p>1.4 Research Questions
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18 </p><p>1.5 Null Hypotheses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------19 </p><p>1.6 Significance of the Study
----------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 </p><p>1.7 Delimitation of the Study
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21 </p><p>
Chapter TWO
: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE -------------------------------------24</p><p>2.1 Introduction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24 </p><p>2.2 Cognitive Preferences
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------24 </p><p>2.3 Problem Solving as a Strategy of Instruction ----------------------------------------------------24 </p><p>2.4 Cognitive Strategies in Science Education -------------------------------------------------------26 </p><p>2.5 Retention
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30 </p><p>2.6 Link Between Problem Solving and Cognitive Preferences----------------------------------- 34 </p><p>2.7 The Problem of Teaching Ecology in Secondary Schools ---------------------------------------35 </p><p>2.8 Problem Solving Instructional Strategies
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42 </p><p>2.9 Review of Similar Studies
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------48 </p><p>2.10 Implication of Literature Reviewed for this Study---------------------------------------------------50 </p><p>
Chapter THREE
:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ------------------------------------------------------51</p><p>3.1 Introduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52</p><p>3.2 Research Design
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52</p><p> 3.3 The Population
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53</p><p> 3.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure
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55</p><p> 3.5 Instrumentation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57 </p><p>3.5.1 Cognitive Preference Test (CPT) Ecology
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58</p><p> 3.5.2 Ecology Achievement Test (EAT)
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59</p><p> 3.6 Pilot Study
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60</p><p> 3.6.1 Validation of the Instruments (C.P.T)
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61</p><p> 3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments
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62</p><p> 3.7.1 Validity
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63</p><p> 3.7.2 Reliability of the Instruments
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63</p><p> 3.8 Selection of Ecology Concepts
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63</p><p> 3.9 Treatment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64</p><p> 3.10 Administration of Instruments
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64</p><p> 3.11 Methods of Data Analysis
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66 </p><p>
Chapter FOUR
: ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION------------------------------------------68</p><p> 4.1 Introduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 68</p><p> 4.2 Data Analysis and Results
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68</p><p> 4.3 Discussion of Results
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 77</p><p>
Chapter FIVE
: SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION-----------86</p><p>5.1 Introduction
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86</p><p> 5.2 Summary
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86</p><p> 5.3 Summary of Findings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 87</p><p> 5.4 Conclusion
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 88</p><p> 5.5 Implications of the Findings for Science Education
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90</p><p> 5.6 Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 91 </p><p>5.7 Limitation of the study
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 92</p><p> 5.8 Suggestions for Further Study
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 92</p><p> REFERENCES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 94 </p>