CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
In the field of education & psychology, learning has been
discovered all over the world to be a highly complex problem. Several
researchers have tried to explain it differently and the description of
each is partially true. Over the years, researches on factors that
influence academic performance of students have attracted the interest
of not only researchers but concern of teachers, counselors,
psychologists, and school administrators as well. Study method is the
knowledge and application of effective study skills or techniques by
students. The term study habit refers to the way in which students’
study either systematically, efficiently or inefficiently. In line with
what has been said above, we can deduce that good study habit will
definitely yield positive academic performances and achievement and also
inefficient or poor study habit leads to academic failure. Students’
attitude and study habit towards any subject has been described as a
function of passion coupled with their belief on that particular which
has a long way to go on their academic performances.
In Nigeria, many factors have been highlighted to influence the
ability of students to cultivate effective and efficient study habit.
Such factors include; state of health, motivation, anxiety and state of
mind, conducive and suitable environment for studying, availability of
textbooks and well equipped libraries. In a research carried out by
(Nuthana & Yenagi, 2009) the causes of poor academic performance
among Nigeria students were thoroughly examined. In which some of these
factors identified include; low student’s intellectual ability,
achievement motivation, lack of goals, low self-esteem, low
socio-economic status of the family, poverty and poor study habit as a
major factor.
A survey was carried out in some selected schools in Nigeria to
identify some major causes of low academic performances in students.
Some of the problems identified include inadequate teachers, problem of
inadequate facilities in the school, problems caused by poor parental
background, unfavorable government policies and low educational sector
funding (Ajila and Olutola 2007). Likewise, Ichado (1998) also dispute
environment from which the student comes from play a major role in
influencing study habits which invariably affect academic performance.
The concept of study habit is broad as it combines nearly all other
sub-topics under it such as study attitude, study method, and study
skill. In a research conducted by Allport (1960), it was argued that
attitude toward study by drafting a good study pattern can greatly
contribute to students’ academic performance. Successful learners all
over the world are said to have adopted positive attitude towards study
and are time conscious over what they have to do.
According to Hussain (2000) study habit refers to predispositions
which students have developed towards private readings through a
period of time. According to him, study habit is a gateway to
successful achievement in studies.
A research was carried out by Morahan (1999), he found out that
male and female have different ways of studying (study habit). In this
study, he discovered that the male student took up courses that have
more of logic and sciences while female student were attracted to
simpler courses and such it is in line with their passion which require
different study habit and might have a positive effect on academic
performance of students. Positive academic performance and achievement
depends upon the student’s ability to schedule his time, the plan of
his study, the habit of concentration, note –taking, mental review,
over learning, the judicious application of whole and part method
massed and distributed learning and so on. In other words, positive
academic performance is a function of proper study habits and skills.
Since study habits are an important factor in learning, it becomes
necessary to investigate into its nature.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The problems associated with study habits might have a major
effect on a student’s academic performances, it is believed that
everyone has a different study habit and it is important to find out
the best personal way to study. Studying with friends has a long way to
go in student’s study habits, it has a positive influence in which
they discuss what have been read together but also has a negative effect
in which they might not read but discuss throughout the stipulated
time for reading which boils down to time wastage.
A very good and conducive environment encourages students study
habit and might have positive impact of their academic achievements but
students reading in an unfavorable environment might find it difficult
to study which might affect their academic achievements. Students with
financial constraints might also find it difficult to perform
excellently well in their academics
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The following are the objectives of this study:
- To examine the correlation between study habit and academic performance
- To examine the effect of study environment on study habit
- To determine factors affecting students’ study habit and academic performance
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What is the correlation between study habit and academic performance?
- What is the effect of study environment on study habit?
- What are the factors affecting students’ study habit and academic performance?
- HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis 1
HO: There is no significant relationship between study habit and academic performance
HA: There is significant relationship between study habits and academic performance
Hypothesis 2
HO: There is no significant relationship between study environment and students’ academic performance
HA: There is significant relationship between study environment and students’ academic performance
- SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The following are the significance of this study:
- The outcome of this study will help students in understanding
the effect on study habit and study environment on their academic
performance and helps in serving as a guide for a positive result.
- This research will also serve as a resource base to other
scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in
this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide
new explanation to the topic.
- SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF STUDY
This study on the impact of study habit on academic performance
of students will cover various approaches to study and its effect on
the academic performance of students.
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund
tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the
relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of
data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will
simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This
consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
- DEFINITION OF TERMS
Study: application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation or reflection
Habit: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.
Performance: the accomplishment of a given task measured against preset known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost and speed
Students: a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school or college
REFERENCES
Ajila& Olutola (2007) Relationship between broken
homes and academic achievements of secondary school students in Oredo
LGA of Edo state, Nigeria. College student journal publisher, June 2012,
6 (2).
Hussain, A (2000) Effect of Guidance Services on Study
Attitudes, Study Habit and Academic Achievement of Secondary School
Students.
Ichado S.M (1998) Impact of Broken Home on Academic
Performance of Secondary School Student in English Language. Journal of
Researches in counselling Psychology.4 (1):- 84 – 87.
Morahan-Martin, J.(1999) Cyber psychology and behaviour. OCTOBER 1999,2(5):431-439. Absract
Nuthana, P.G& Yenagi, G.V.(2009): influence of study
habits, self concept on achievement of boys and girls. Karnataka
Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.22 No.51135-1138