Correlation Study of Attitude and Academic Performance in Biology Among Secondary School Students in Lere, Kaduna State

Abstract

The study explored the correlation between attitude and academic performance in Biology among secondary school students in Lere, Kaduna State. The study was guided by two objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses. A mixed method consisting of descriptive survey and ex-post facto research designs was adopted for the study. From a total population of twenty thousand, one hundred and fifty-nine public secondary school students, the sample of three hundred and seventy-seven biology students were selected using random sampling techniques. Data collection was done using a questionnaire titled "Students' Attitude towards Academic Performance in Biology Questionnaire (SAABQ)”, which was validated by three experienced science educators. To determine the reliability of the instrument, it was pilot tested via split-half method and a Cronbach co-efficient value of 0.78 was derived. Data analysis employed mean and standard deviation for the research questions and PPMC and t-test for the null hypotheses. The findings indicate a significant positive relationship between attitude and performance in biology among secondary school students in Lere, Kaduna State (r = 0.61; P = 0.02< 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the attitude of male and female secondary school students towards biology (t = 0.13; P = 0.02< 0.05). Based on the results, it was recommended that Kaduna State Government, Lere LGA Education Authority and biology teachers should establish targeted interventions to address the underlying factors influencing students' attitude towards the subject.