Differences in Science Achievement: A Gender Perspective

Abstract

Much has been discussed about educational differences associated
with class, socioeconomic status, region, ethnicity and race. However, gender
differences and determinants in science achievement are not treated well. This
study describes and analyses gender differences in science achievement based on
the data collected by the International Association for Evaluation of Education
Achievement (lEA) studies of science and International Assessment of Educationa
Progress (IAEP). It also discusses the impact of quantitative data on the researcr
problem: Is there gender difference in science achievement? The results indicatec
that there were gender differences in science achievement, favoring males
Differences were minimal in biological science but an increased score difference·
was observed in physical science. However, these differences were dependent or.
factors like age, socio-cultural issues, the nature of the administered test and tes :
items, school facilities, and teachers' time on task