STUDY HABITS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHEMISTRY STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
STUDY HABITS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHEMISTRY STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Delimitation of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Operational Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Area of the Study
3.3 Population of the Study
3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection
3.6 Validation of the Instrument
3.7 Administration of the Instrument
3.8 Scoring of the Instrument
3.9 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Analysis
4.2 Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS
AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Suggestion for Further Studies
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Without a doubt, studying for an examination can be one of the most stressful events in a student’s life. Moreover, in recent times, secondary school graduates attending higher institutions, coping with the transition from secondary school to College or University is very difficult. For some students, keeping up their grades until graduation is always the main focus. In fact, in both instances, studying for examination has been a challenge. Some students may “Cram” in order to pass while others study in advance (Alutu, 2022).
However, Salami and Aremu (2016) are of the opinion that through the internalization of good study habits, both failing and passing students will raise their grades. Ineffective study habits on the other hand erode self confidence among students which leads to poor self esteem (Ekwe, 2015) and cheating in examination to pass.
STUDY HABITS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHEMISTRY STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Furthermore, Asangwara (2019) described study habits as strategies which learners apply for acquiring knowledge, skills, ideas and competence. He further observed that some students who have good study habits do not spend a lot of time studying before they can achieve success and that students who study very hard without utilizing good habits make little or no progress in their academics.
Onyejiaku (2020) further opined that majority of students who find it difficult to concentrate and ignore distraction while studying lacks self – discipline, intrinsic motivation or goal orientation. It is pertinent to note that time management is to be recognized as the control idea of the concepts of study habits. It is therefore against this background that this study has deemed it necessary to investigate the effect of study habits on academic performance of Chemistry students in secondary schools in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Undeniably, Chemistry is one of the core science subjects that are offered by students up to the tertiary level of education. However, this compulsory nature of Chemistry carries with it the assumption that the knowledge of the subject is essential for all science students in our society. Study habits and academic performance of chemistry students in secondary schools.
Despite the relative importance of Chemistry, it is very disappointing to note that students’ performance in the subject at both internal and external examinations has remained consistently poor. Statistics abound to show that mass failure in Chemistry in these examinations is real and the trend of students’ performance has been on the decline (Egurubor, 2015).
Often times, the teacher is blamed for inadequate selection of teaching methods, instructional materials as well as motivational strategies. Sometimes, the government is blamed for the poor provision of funds to the schools and even when the child is blamed, explanation is proffered only in terms of the peer group influence (Jatan, 2018).
Little or no consideration is given to the child’s study habits as it relates to his or her academic performance in schools especially in Chemistry. Thus, this motivated the researcher to ask: Could the study habits adopted by the students affect the academic performance of students in Chemistry. Finding answer to this question necessitated this study on study habit and academic performance of secondary school Chemistry students in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study was to investigate study habits and academic performance of chemistry students in secondary schools. Specifically, the study sought to:
(i) Examine the influence of adopting a study time table on academic performance of students in Chemistry in secondary schools.
(ii) Assess the effect of note – taking on the academic performance of Chemistry students in secondary schools.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study would be useful in the following ways:
(i) Firstly, it would help secondary school students to improve in their study habits in Chemistry.
(ii) Secondly, it is believed that this study would parents to provide a conducive study environment for their wards.
(iii) Furthermore, it would help in yielding a good basis for students counseling on self-discipline and the right attitude towards academic work. Study habits and academic performance of chemistry students in secondary schools.
(iv) Also, to the policy makers and planners in education, it would furnish them with a sound base for effective supervision of teachers which will take cognizance of individual differences in all classroom processes; as some students do not adopt good study habit.
(v) As a data bank, it is envisaged that this research would serve as a repository of information for future researchers who may wish to research further into the same topic or even closely related issues.
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
(i) There is no significant difference in the academic performance of Chemistry students who adopt personal study time table in their academic work and those who do not.
(ii) There is no significant difference in the academic performance of Chemistry students who adopt note-taking in their academic work and those who do not.
Definition of Terms
The following terms were defined as used in the study:
Study Habit: This is the strategy adopted by students to acquire Knowledge, skills, ideas and competence in Chemistry. It include: adoption of personal time-table and note-taking; as used in this study.
Academic Performance: In brief, this is the grade or score of a student obtained in a test, assignment or examination in Chemistry.
Personal Study time table: This is the preparation of time table personally by students to guide them on their daily activities of which time is allocated for each subject or school activity.
Note-Taking: This is the act of taking down notes in class and reading it after class either at home or in the school.
Student: In brief, this refers to someone who is being taught in school between the age 10 and 16 years.
Secondary school: This is an educational institution established for students between the ages 10 and 16 years.
Chemistry: Is the branch of science which study matter and changes that matter undergoes.
Conclusion
Study habits are the strategies adopted by students to acquire knowledge, skills, ideas and competence in learning. Some students who have good study habits do not spend a lot of time studying before they can achieve success and that students who study very hard without utilizing good habits make little or no progress in their academics.
Based on the findings it was concluded that study habits such as usage of personal study time table, reading and note-taking affect the academic performance of students in chemistry in secondary schools. Students who adopted these study habits performed academically better than those who neglected this study habits in studying chemistry.
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