FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS THE STUDY OF MATHEMATICS IN NIGERIA


FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS THE STUDY OF MATHEMATICS IN NIGERIA, USING KATSINA-ALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENUE STATE AS A CASE STUDY

  ABSTRACT:    

Students have many different perceptions of mathematics. Most business and athletics leaders will talk about how the individual’s attitude directly affects their performance in the office or on the field. Attitude towards mathematics plays a crucial role in the teaching and learning processes of mathematics. It affects students’ achievement in mathematics. The teaching method, the support of the structure of the school, the family and students’ attitude towards school affect the attitudes towards mathematics. This study looked at how students’ attitudes impact the mathematics performance of the students in the classroom. Five selected school in Katsina – Ala Local Government Area of Benue State were the focus of this study. Students were surveyed by the researcher on their attitude towards mathematics education. The findings revealed that attitude and gender difference have a significant impact in the performance of students in mathematics. It also revealed that positive attitude towards mathematics leads students towards success in mathematics. Attempt to improve attitude towards mathematics at lower level provides base for higher studies in mathematics. It also causes effect in achievement of mathematics at secondary school level.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page --------------------------------------------------------------------i

Approval Page----------------------------------------------------------------ii

Declaration ------------------------------------------------------------------iii

Dedication -------------------------------------------------------------------iv

Acknowledgement -----------------------------------------------------------v

Abstract ----------------------------------------------------------------------vi   

Table of Content-------------------------------------------------------------vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION           

1.1    Background of the Study---------------------------------------------1

1.2    Statement of the Problem--------------------------------------------2

1.3    Purpose of the Study -------------------------------------------------3

1.4    Significance of the Study---------------------------------------------4

1.5    Research Questions---------------------------------------------------4

1.6    Research Hypothesis--------------------------------------------------4

1.7    Scope of the Study----------------------------------------------------5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------7

2.2 Theoretical Frame Work -----------------------------------------------7

2.3 Significance of Hammouri’s Study-------------------------------------8

2.4 Summary of Literature Review----------------------------------------16

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------17

3.2 Research Design -----------------------------------------------------17

3.3 Area of Study --------------------------------------------------------17

3.4 Population of Study -------------------------------------------------17

3.5 Sample and Sampling Technique-----------------------------------18

3.6 Instrument for Study------------------------------------------------18

3.7 Validation of Instrument -------------------------------------------19

3.8 Method of Data Collection------------------------------------------19

3.9 Method of Data Analysis -------------------------------------------19

3.10 Participants --------------------------------------------------------19

3.11 Potential Ethical Issues -------------------------------------------20

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------21

4.2 Descriptive Analysis ------------------------------------------------21

4.3 Discussion of Findings ---------------------------------------------27

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction --------------------------------------------------------29

5.2 Summary of Findings ----------------------------------------------29

5.3 Conclusion ----------------------------------------------------------30

5.4 Recommendations --------------------------------------------------30

5.5 Limitations ----------------------------------------------------------31

5.6 Applications ---------------------------------------------------------31

5.7 Future Implications -------------------------------------------------32

REFERENCE-------------------------------------------------------------33

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION   

1.1    Background of the Study

There is no disagreement on the vital importance of mathematics to both the scientist, the technologist and even to every layman in his everyday life (Omenka, 2013). Mathematics is the key element and activity in the day to day living that every human being practices in one form or the other (Kurumeh, Akure, and Oguche, 2007). The knowledge of mathematics is an essential tool in our society (Baroody, 1987). It is a tool that can be used in our daily life to overcome the difficulties faced (Bishop, 1996). Due to this, mathematics has been considered as one of the most important core subject in a school curriculum. More mathematics lessons are likely to be taught in schools and colleges throughout the world than any other subject (Orton, Orton, & Frobisher, 2004).

The Nigerian education accorded mathematics a special position in the school curriculum. In fact, it made a core-subject for both Arts and Science students. All the junior secondary schools students have to pass it at the junior secondary school certificate examination before they are allowed to register for senior secondary school examination. In other words mathematics is one of the core-subjects both at the junior and senior secondary school levels. It is also required that a student gets a credit pass in it to get admission for science related courses in the universities.

However, the standard tests and evaluations reveal that students do not perform to the expected level. The student under achievement in mathematics is not just a concern for particular countries, but has become a global concern over the years (Pisa, 2003).

Despite the relevance of mathematics and the efforts made by the government to improve the student’s achievement in mathematics, the result is not yet satisfactory. The West African Examination Council,WAEC (2004) Chief Examiner’s Report shows that 1,090,503 candidates sat for external out of which only 10.5% passed. In 2005 out of 1464,301 candidates that sat for external only 15.2% passed mathematics. In 2007, out of 1,484,611 candidates, only 18.5% passed mathematics. National Examination Council, NECO (2006) reported that many of the candidates exhibited lack of knowledge of basic principles needed to tackle some of the mathematics problems.

Several studies and researches have been done in many countries to find the factors that influence the student’s performance in mathematics. Among these factors, student’s attitude towards mathematics is one important factor that has been consistently studied. Often, the studies on relationship between student’s attitude and the student’s academic performance show a positive relationship (Mohd, Mahmood, & Ismail, 2011; Bramlett & Herron, 2009; Nicolaidou & Philippou, 2003; Papanastasiou, 2000; Ma & Kishor, 1997). Hence students’ attitude towards mathematics is a major factor that might influence the performance of the students. Due to this, several studies have been conducted in different countries in order to find out the students attitude towards mathematics (Tahar, Ismail, Zamani & Adnan, 2010; Tezer & Karasel, 2010; Maat & Zakaria, 2010; Bramlett & Herron, 2009; Köğce, Yıldız, Aydın, & Altındağ, 2009; Tapia & Marsh, 2004; Fennema & Sherman, 1976) and hence to use these data to suggest the low performance of students and factors affecting it. The aim of this research is to find out the factors influencing the attitude of secondary school students towards mathematics in some schools in Katsina-Ala, Benue State. The research focuses on finding the students’ attitude towards mathematics and also finding the significant difference between student’sattitudes towards mathematics with regard to the gender of the students.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

The rate of failure in both internal and external examinations in Mathematics these days is quite alarming. The failure rate deteriorates from year to year (WAEC, 2005).  

The student’s attitude towards an academics subject is a crucial factor in learning and achievement in that subject. Whether a student views himself or herself as a strong or weak person in a specific subject may be an important factor in his or her academic achievement. Papanastasiou (2002) showed that there is a positive relation between Mathematics and mathematics achievement. According to Schreiber (2002), those who have positive attitudes towards Mathematics have a better performance in the subject. In Kenya, studies done by Auma (2004) and Achieng (2007) looked at the relationship between teacher factors and student Mathematics achievement as factors affecting Mathematics performance but did not consider students attitude. However, thestudy focuses on the factors influencing student’s attitude towards Mathematics with specific reference to objectives, content, methods and evaluation of the Mathematics curriculum and establishes their influence on Mathematics performance.

1.3    Purpose of Study

The subject is more positive. The researcher feels that a students’ negative attitude toward Mathematics as a subject has a damaging effect on their performance in the classroom. The researcher also feels that teachers who are more enthusiastic and have a more positive attitude about teaching mathematics have students whose attitude about the subject is more positive.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the attitude of students towards the study of mathematics in Nigeria, using Katsina-Ala L.G.A, Benue State as a case study.

Therefore the Specific objectives of the study are:

1. To determine student’s performance in Mathematics across gender.

2. To establish student’s attitude towards Mathematics across gender, with reference to:

i. Objectives

ii. Content

iii. Methods

iv. Evaluation

3. Determine the level of relationship between attitudes towards Mathematics and performance in Mathematics.

1.4    Significance of the Study

The findings of this research upon completion will help students to understand how their attitude towards mathematics can affect their performance in the subject and how their interaction with the society can influence their attitude and hence, their performance in mathematics. And also, to determinethe extentto which the teacher’s attitude towards teaching the subject can affect the students’ performance in Mathematics.

1.5    Research Questions

The researcher collected data from students and teachers by using both open ended questions and scaled answers on a Likert scale. The researcher asked the students questions to get a general idea of their attitude about mathematics. The teacher askedabout how they see attitude affecting student performance, if they are enthusiastic about mathematics, if they enjoy teaching mathematics.

1.    What effect does the student’s attitude towards mathematics have on their performance in the subject?

2.    How does gender affects the performance of the students in mathematics?

1.6    Research Hypotheses

Image: There is no significance difference in the performance of students as regards their attitude towards mathematics.

Image: There is no significance difference in the attitude of students towards mathematics as regards gender.

1.7    Scope of the Study

The study was investigated in five schools in Katsina-Ala L.G.A of Benue State, Nigeria. It consists of both junior and senior secondary students of these selected schools.

.


TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.COM

Researchwap.com is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.com guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.com is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.com" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.