Mathematical Competence and Attitude as Predictors of Students' Performance in Secondary School Physics

Abstract

This study examined mathematical competence and attitude as predictors of students' performance in secondary school physics with four hypotheses of the ten stratified schools, a total of 249 secondary school students II offering physics participated the study. 128 (51.41%) of the students were from urban based schools and 121 (48.59%) of the students from rural based schools. Three constructed and validated instruments (MCST, r = 0.78), (SAPQ, r = 0.68) and (PPT, r = 0.74) were employed. Data were analysed using both regression analysis and t-test at P < 0.05. The results revealed that there exists significant relative contributions of mathematical competence and students' attitude to secondary school students' performance in physics (F(1,247) = 35.11 & 16.86). It also revealed significant composite contribution of mathematical competence and attitude on secondary school students' performance in physics (F (2,246) = 30.20). Finally, the finding revealed that school location is significant on secondary school students' performance in physics (t = 13.54). It is therefore, concluded that mathematical competence is a contributory factor in learning physics. Hence, it is recommended that those teaching physics at secondary schools should note that extra work in the mathematics concept needs to be done.