Comparative Relationships Between SIWES-Performance and Psychomotor Skills Acquisition among Undergraduate Chemistry and Mathematics Students in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract The study investigated Comparative Relationships between SIWES-Performance and Psychomotor Skills Acquisition among Undergraduate Chemistry and Mathematics Students in Kano State, Nigeria. The study adopted correlational and ex- post factor research designs. The population for the study consists of Eight hundred and fifty (850) Undergraduate Chemistry and Mathematics Students in level 300 in three (3) public universities in Kano state, Nigeria during the 2022/2023 academic session. The sample of the study consists of one hundred and sixty (160) each of male and female students. The study had two objectives and based on these, two research questions were raised and two corresponding null hypotheses formulated for testing at P≤0.05 level of significance. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting one federal university, then simple random sampling technique involving balloting method in selecting the other state-owned university. Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme Psychomotor Skills Acquisition Test (SIWESPSAT) was used was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by an expert and pilot tested with the reliability coefficients of 0.97. Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to answer research questions while null hypotheses were tested using Regression analysis. Among the findings of the study revealed that: There is no relationship between performance in SIWES and psychomotor skills acquisition in industrial chemistry and mathematics. Based on the findings, it was therefore recommended that, SIWES and industrial based supervisors should expose students to different aspects of psychomotor skills concepts such as basic, competent and expert operation of tools and other related services prior to the commencement of the SIWES programme with attendance made mandatory. The study concludes among other that, performance in SIWES is not a predictor to psychomotor skills acquisition. Keywords: SIWES, Predictor, Psychomotor Skills, Industrial Chemistry and Mathematics.