Comparative Analysis Between Attitudes and Academic Performance in Mathematics and Physics among Senior Secondary School Students in Zamfara State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026311Abstract
This study investigated Comparative Analysis between Attitudes and Academic Performance in Mathematics and Physics among Senior Secondary School Students in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Four research objectives, research questions with corresponding null hypotheses were formulated. Correlational research design was employed, with a sample of 364 students drawn from four public senior secondary schools in the state, Using convenient and cluster sampling techniques. Data was collected using Secondary School II Physics Performance Test (SSII PPT), Secondary School II mathematics Performance Test (SSII PPT), and questionnaires on students’ attitudes toward mathematics and physics. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used for answering research questions, Spearman’s correlation and Pearson product moment correlation PPMC were used for testing the null hypotheses at significance level of 0.05. Findings of the study revealed that, there is statistically significant positive correlation between students’ attitudes and their academic performance in mathematics and physics among senior secondary schools in Zamfara State. Results suggested the need for targeted strategies to improve performance among students in Mathematics to foster positive attitudes in Physics, ultimately enhancing students’ engagement and academic success in Zamfara State's senior secondary schools. The finding also recommended among others that. Researchers should conduct further research to identify specific factors affecting performance disparities and develop targeted interventions, such as curriculum review or teacher training, to balance student outcomes across both subjects.
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