Investigation of causes of differences in student performance on the topics of stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms in an undergraduate organic chemistry course

Students have a great deal of difficulty in understanding the concepts of chemistry, including organic chemistry. which results in high failure and repeat rates.; The purpose of this study was to determine possible reasons for student failure in an undergraduate organic chemistry course. In particular, the study dealt with student difficulties in two concepts of undergraduate organic chemistry--stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms. Such possible reasons for student failure. as lack of logical or spatial abilities, lack of knowledge of general chemistry, lack of studying efforts and misconceptions, were under investigation.; The study involved a combination of both a quantitative approach--statistical analysis of student performance, and a qualitative approach--analysis of student think-aloud interviews.; A group of students at the Catholic University of America (22 students), Prince George's Community College (23 students) and Montgomery Community College (13 students) enrolled in an undergraduate organic chemistry course were participants in the study. Catholic University and community college students were treated as two separate groups. At the beginning of the study, student logical and spatial abilities, and knowledge of general chemistry were ascertained. After each of the stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms concepts were taught, students were given two separate achievement tests on these concepts. Statistical correlation between independent variables (logical and spatial abilities, knowledge of general chemistry, and studying efforts) and dependent variables (achievement in stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms) was investigated using regression analysis. A group of students was interviewed to ascertain their knowledge of the organic chemistry concepts, ways of reasoning and misconceptions.; The results of the study showed that knowledge of general chemistry is the most important variable in both Catholic University and community college student performance on stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms concept achievement tests. Logical ability was found to be a very significant factor for community college student achievement in both stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms. Both Catholic University and community college students hold misconceptions on the basic general and organic chemistry principles. Community college students demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the basic organic chemistry definitions.