Psychological Factors Influencing Students’ Academic Achievement in Biology in Some Selected Secondary Schools in Ilorin, Kwara State

TABLE OF CONTENT

TitlePage                                                                                                        i        

Certification                                                                                                    ii

Dedication                                                                                                       iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                           iv

Table of Contents                                                                                           v - vii

List of Tables                                                                                                   viii

Abstract                                                                                                           ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study                                                                                 1-3

State of the Problem                                                                                        3

Purpose of the Study                                                                                       4

Research Question                                                                                           4

Research Hypothesis                                                                                       5

Significance of the Study                                                                                 5-6

Scope and Limitation of the Study                                                                   6

Operational Definition of Terms                                                                      6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Theoretical background of the Study                                                               7-9

Concept framework of the Study                                                                     9-11

Review of empirical studies                                                                             11-16

Appraisal of the Literature Reviewed                                                              17

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Research Design                                                                                              18

Sample and Sampling Techniques                                                                   18-19

Research Instruments                                                                                       19

Validity and reliability of the Instrument                                                         19-20

Procedure for Data Collection                                                                          20

Data Analysis Technique.                                                                                20-21

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT

Data Analysis                                                                                                  22-30

Discussion of Findings                                                                                    30-32

CHAPTER FIVE:          SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary                                                                                                         33-34

Conclusion                                                                                                      34

Recommendations                                                                                           34-35

References                                                                                                       36-41

Appendix                                                                                                         42-4

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1:       Contribution of Stress to student’s Academic Achievement in Biology

Table 2:       Contribution of Depression to Student’s Academic Achievement in Biology

Table 3:       Contribution of Self-Concept to Student’s academic achievement in Biology

Table 4:       Contribution of Fear/Phobia to Student’s Academic Achievement in Biology.

Table 5:       Contribution of delinquency to Student’s Academic Achievement in Biology

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the psychological factors that influence the academic achievement in some selected secondary schools in biology in Ilorin, Kwara State. The survey research design method was adopted. A total of 250 students in senor secondary schools were selected randomly for the study through stratified random sampling from five (5) secondary schools in the state. Five research questions and research hypothesis each were formulated to guide the study. Data was analysed using mean, standard deviation and t-test statistical analysis,and the null hypothesis were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The calculated t-value of each of the factors was all found to be greater than the critical t-value of 1.969. This shows that students level of stress, depression, fear/phobia, self-concept and delinquency were all found to have impact on academic achievement. It was recommended that government, should engage qualified counselors in schools who in conjunction with the teachers and parents would evolve positive ways of managing stress, depression and negative self-concept among students. School principals and teachers are urged to instill strict discipline on students to avoid truancy and other acts of delinquency.