ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effects
of study habit on the academic performance of students’ using some
selected senior secondary schools in Mushin Local Government Area of
Lagos State as a case study. The study employed a descriptive research
survey type. One hundred and twenty (120) students were randomly
selected from six senior secondary schools in the area. The instrument
utilized for the study was a questionnaire named “Study Habit and Study
Attitude Scale”(SHSAS). Three hypotheses were tested and the result
showed that the study habits of the students, method of study, and the
school environment, student personality and peer group all affect the
academic performances of students in secondary schools. Data was
analyzed using Pearson moment correlation.
Based on the findings, appropriate
parental counseling programme needs to be organized for parents that
will educate them on how to motivate their wards to cultivate good study
habits in order to enhance their academic performance. Hence, it is
suggested that similar research with relevant research methodology
should be used in carrying out research in other states of the
federation to ascertain the degree of conformity which this research
have on the study habit of all senior secondary school students in
Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Page
Cover page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of study 1
1.1 Statement of the problem 7
1.2 Purpose of study 8
1.3 Research questions 8
1.4 Research hypothesis 9
1.5 Significance of the study 9
1.6 Scope of limitation of the study 9
1.7 Definition of terms. 10
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction 11
2.1 Theoretical framework of the study 12
2.2 Habit Formation and Significance 17
2.3. Concept of Study Habits 20
2.4 Concept of Academic Performance 29
2.5 Factors influence academic performance of secondary school
student 31
2.6 Other Dimensions of Study Habits 42
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 51
3.2 Research Design 51
3.3 Sample and Sampling Procedures 51
3.4. Area of Study 52
3.5 Instrumentation 53
3.6. Validity 54
3.7 Reliability 54
3.8 Mode of Data Collection 55
3.9 Data Analysis Procedure 55
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
4.1 Introduction 56
4.2 Findings and Analysis of Results 56
4.3 Test of the Research Hypotheses 56
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND
5.0 Introduction 64
5.1 Discussion of findings 64
5.2 Conclusion 70
5.3 Recommendation 72
REFERENCES 74
Appendix 79
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Research on the correlation between
study habit and students academic performances has for long received
attention from scholars and educational agencies.
1.0.1 WHY IS THIS STUDY NECESSARY
In every school setting, students are
perpetually in search of academic success, the success of academic
performance is their ultimate goal. However studies of school
performances indicates that most students are under achievers, Dizney
2003 and Okegbile 2007. A major reason for students under developed
potentials may be in their lack of learning strategies. This study
therefore is to investigate the influence of study habits on academics
performances of students using secondary schools in Mushine Local
Government as a case study.
1.0.2 IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICS
The relative importance of teaching and
learning physics has increased dramatically over the years. The
importance of Physics cannot be over-emphasized as it forms the basis
for technological advancement of any nation. (Jubril 1986) said science
is most powerful tool for man's development. it has been identified as
an instrument per excellence in solving socio-economic problems of good
health facilities, agriculture, employment, poverty and many other
problem betting development in under-developed nation like Nigeria.
Physics is a branch of science that
deals with energy and matter and their interactions. It is sometimes
referred to as the science of measurement and its knowledge has
contributed greatly to the production of instruments and devices of
tremendous benefits to the human race. The study of physics can lead to
several scientific fields and professions such as engineering,
manufacturing, mining and construction industries. Apart from this,
knowledge of physics plays a very significant role in the development of
any nation. Much as Nigeria advocates for and pursuing development in
technology, the results has been both unsatisfactory and encouraging
(Adebayo 2008). The drastic drive in Nigeria towards technology is
contained in her National polocy in Education(2004)
1.0.3 CHALLENGES IN LEARNING PHYSICS
Some of the challenges that physics education is facing in our society today are as follows;
i. Lack of competent teachers to the
profession: one of the greatest problems faced by physics teachers is
that of recruitment and retention of competent people into the teaching
profession(Adeyinka2010). The future of any nation lies in the hand of
effectively trained and professional teachers. But now, teaching is
considered as the last hope of the hopeless, i.e the profession of those
who do not have better things to do(Aliyu2011)
ii. Inadequate laboratory facilities: laboratories in our schools are not well equipped.
iii. Poor students' motivation: the
enrolment figure of most student in our schools are in social sciences
and humanities which surpasses that of student of physics and other core
science courses.
Other factors limiting effective learning of physics include;
- Lack of teaching aid
- Poor/un-committed students
- Lack of good textbooks
- Curriculum
- Lack of proper orientation to the students
1.0.4 WHAT ARE PAST RESEARCHER'S EFFORTS TO CURB THESE CHALLENGES?
Education is known to have always played
important roles in the life of man. Aggrawal(1997) says, “Education is a
continous and lifelong process. It is the process of development from
infancy to maturity. It includes the effect of everything which
influences human personality” Iram (1999) quoted the definition of
education from Singh (1997) as , “Education is broad term, the life long
process of acquiring new knowledge and skills through both formal and
informal exposure to information, ideas and experiences”
Some psychologists thought that a
child’s mind was a clean state and a teacher could write anything on it .
Others were of the view that a child was just like a lay and a teacher
like a porter who could make anything out of it.
It is an understatement to say that the
standard of education in Nigeria has fallen. However it has been
realized that the students who possess mental abilities sometimes do not
perform well in their academic work either because they do not know how
to study effectively or do not use the most effective method of
studying. Many questions have raised by teachers, parents and students
themselves on why students perform so poor academically. Even the state
government have shown some concern over this in recent time by
introducing low cost books for primary and secondary schools. Although
this was meant to create the desire to study by the students, it has not
helped the situation much because students do not read this books. Many
of the students complained of lack of understanding.
There is no doubt that these complaints
evidently point to one fact, that is lack of effective study habits. It
is this problem however I wish to investigate as it appears to be one of
the root causes of dwelling standard of our educational system today.
The extent of the student’s learning in
academics may be determined by the grades a students earns for a period
of learning. It is believed that a grade is a primary factor that
indicates such learning. However, many experiences and study found out
that there are also several factors that would affect grades. Not a
single factor can definitely point out as predicting grades. It has been
interplay of so many factors – gender, IQ, study habits, age, year
level, parents educational attainment, social status ,number of siblings
,birth order, etc. infact almost all of the existing environmental and
personal factors are a variable of academic performance. studying is
important in our lives, especially to the lives of students. Each
student as a unique individual has different abilities, approaches and
way of thinking, interests and way of studying lessons. these individual
differences have significant influences on one’s learning style and
acquisition. Each students has different method and ways of studying and
this methods are sometimes helpful but some are not as effective as the
others(Oppapers,2010).
These ways of studying are the routinely
or habitual way of studying the learner. It accustomed method of
approach to units of students learning with its consistency in ignoring,
destruction of his effectiveness to the specific materials being
studied and the effects which he exerts throughout the process. Every
year, there are a lot of comments from educators, schools administrators
and parents who are a loss on how to improve their students and
children study habits. This require the teacher to promote a new mindset
of learning style theories to appreciate each students as a unique
individual, instead of trying to force all students into one fixed or
pre-set model. Good study habits help the students to gain much
affective learning that profit even more. Students who perform well in
classes and who are academically outstanding are proofs that they have
good study habits. This is because study habits involves using
organizational techniques of learning which exercise the particular
talents and aptitudes of the students.
However, at this point I would like to
investigate the possible relationship of study habits and factors
affecting it to the academic achievement of secondary school students in
few selected secondary schools in Mushin local Government area. The
investigation of this area thus becomes a real and compelling motivation
for me to conduct this study.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study is intended to find out the
factors affecting study habit of a few selected secondary schools in
Yaba local Government area in Lagos state. It is also aimed at answering
the following questions
1] What is the profile of the respondents according to
a] Time management
b] Learning skills
c] Study skills
2] What extent of influence did the independent variable have on students study habits
3] Did the independent variables significantly influence students study habits
Due to the increasing nature of poor
academic performance of secondary school students, especially in
external examinations like WAEC and JAMB, many educationist tend to
shift the blame on the teaching methodology adopted by the teachers and
lack of fund from the government to provide quality textbooks. However,
these might not be the main reasons why students perform poorly in
examinations. It is clear from all indication that most secondary school
students have poor study habit which might lead to poor academic
performance.
As true as this might sound, it is yet
to gather adequate research evidence to prove that it is a key factor on
why students fail
1.2 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The primary aim of this study is to examine the effect of study habit on students academic performance.
This general aim is expressed in the following specific objectives which are to;
1) Assess the study habit of students in secondary school.
2) Compare the academic performance of students who have developed a study habit and those who do not have a study habit.
3) Examine factors influencing students study habit.
4) investigate the effect of study habit on students academic performance.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
The following questions were raised to guide the study:
1. Is there any relationship between students study habit and academic performance of students?
2. What is the nature of relationship between students study habit and their family background?
3. How important is the method of study on academic performance of students?
m4. does the school environment, student personally and peer group affect the study of habit of students?
1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
Three hypotheses were formulated based on the research questions
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between students study habit and academic performance.
Ho2: There is no significant relationship between method of study and academic performance of students.
Ho3: There is no significant
relationship between the school environment, student personality and
peer group and the study habit of students.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This will be useful to many people who
may not know the factors that could make or mar student’s academic
performance. There the study is significant in this regard.
-It attempts to combine study skills with study habits and how they both affect academic performance of students.
-It will provide valuable information about the effects of poor study habit on the academic performance of students
- It will serve as resource materials for others who want to carry out research in related field
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study centers on the effects of
study habits on academic performance of student in senior secondary
schools. The scope of this research project is restricted to yaba local
government area of Lagos state. Availability of time and sourcing of
good materials posed as hindrance to the timely completion of this
project work.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
STUDY HABIT:
This is a behavior style that is systematically formed by students towards learning and achievement.
STUDY SKILLS
These are peculiar strategies developed by the students in studying.
ACADEMIC:
This has been variously defined but for
the purpose of this study, horn by (1991) define academic as that which
has to do with school college studies or learning in other words
designate the intellectual; aspect of education particularly the final
subject deals with organized knowledge.
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
This refers to the performance that
falls within specified standard is usually called pass mark and the pass
mark is score above average which student are considered having passed
and below which students are considered having failed
STUDENT:
A person who is learning or studying at a place of higher or further education.