INFLUENCE OF STUDY HABITS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PHYSICS STUDENTS IN ESIT EKET LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
In every school setting, students are perpetually in search of academic success. The success of academic performance is their ultimate goal. As stated by Robinson (2011) academic performance can be expressed in the form of good scores and prizes as a result of hard work and exceptional performance in classroom tests, assignments and examination. Studies revealed that student’s learning process. It is a key criterion to judge one’s total potentialities and capacities which are frequently measured by the examination results.
While Nuthana and Tenagi (2009) posited that judgment on the quality of education is determined by academic institutions attend by a child. Jean (2013) observed that study habit is still the most topical issue of debates in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions which is a great concern to educators and researchers due to evidence alarming rate of poor examination results among pupils and students in these institutions of learning. However, habits are first form at home, such as that of neatness, respect for elders, honesty and friendliness.
Nwegbu (2010) asserted that habit save time and efforts. It is through the help of habits that we carry out our daily routines. Therefore, good study habits are important ingredients in the life of a student in his course of study. Since it help students to accomplish academic task effectively and efficiently. Denga (1988) in Mashayekhi, Rafati, Mashayekhi and Rafati (2014) is of the opinion that such student should choose his suitable study habits from the various study habits because of individual differences, since according to him students has their own goals in life and possess their unique ways of pursing these goals. By way of definition, Abang (2008) referred the study habits as a particular pattern an individual develop for study.
While Enamile (2008) sees study habits as an approach a student adopts towards the study. This implies that a student’s study habit could be group discussion method of study, individual method, time allocation, frequently study method infrequently study method among that this study seeks to examine the extent to which study habit could be responsible for student’s poor or good performance in Esit Eket Local Government Area.
Influence of Study Habits on Academic Performance of Physics Students
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It has been observed that most students in secondary schools only read and write but cannot think and reason logically and rationally as physics required.
As a result of this inability to think critically most of the students fail to perform creditably particularly in public examination such as West African Examination Council. However, effective study habits do not just happen but acquired.
The researcher also observed that most of these students lack the required competences as provided by the National policy on education (2004), which includes communication skills and manipulative skills and manipulative sciences. Available reports from various examination bodies in Nigeria indicated that student’s performances in science have experienced a downward surge over the years.
Among the lowest number of scores rate in secondary schools as posted these examination bodies in 2012 and 2014 results in physics respectively (WAEC 2014).
Arising from this steady declined in student’s academic performance in schools, the researcher worried whether study habits could be responsible for this very bad performance among students in secondary schools. Hence the intention to conduct this study is to examine to what extent study habits influence student’s academic performance in physics in secondary schools in Esit Eket Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The general purpose of this study is to examine how study habits influence academic performance of physics students in secondary schools in Esit Eket Local Government Area. Specifically, the study intended to:
- Assess the difference in academic performance of physics students who study in group and those with individual study habits.
- Find out the extent t o which time allocation influence academic performance of student in physics.
Influence of Study Habits on Academic Performance of Physics Students
1.4 Significance of the Study
It is the researcher’s that the findings of this study will be of immense benefits to parents, policy makers, planners of educational program, students, classroom instruction and the society in general.
1. The study will be useful to parents since the early child education and its consequence to academic achievement of the child will encourage the parent to help cultivate habit among their children of early stages I life.
2. It will also enlighten school administrations on the need to provide conducive environment that will facilitate healthy study habits.
- It will expose researcher to problems associated with study habits formation further research on the related issues.
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following research hypotheses were formulated to direct the study.
- There is no significant difference in academic performance between physics students who study in group and those who stud individually.
- There is no significant difference in academic performance between physics students who study before and during examinations and those who study during examinations.
Delimitation of the Study
The scope of the study was limited to an investigation into individual study habits, discussion study habits, frequently study habits and academic performance of students in physics. It was also limited in coverage to senior secondary schools physics students in the all the secondary schools in Esit Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
Influence of Study Habits on Academic Performance of Physics Students
1.7 Operation Definition of Terms
Study habits: This refers to a particular pattern an individual develop for studying.
Physic: According to Lan Morris December 24, 2010. Physics is defined as the fundamental science that deals with matter, energy, motion and force.
Academic performance: This refers to the grade obtained by students in their performance test, continuous assessment or examination.
Lawson Peter – Chief Editor in Projectvilla Nigeria. A writer and academic researcher.