ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to assess the effect of motivation on student achievement in economic in senior secondary school in Abuja Municipal Area Council. The study was specifically set to determine the whether motivation significantly influence the academic performance of students in Economics, determine the extent teachers motivate their students in Economics, assess whether parental motivation significantly influences students performance in Economics, and ascertain whether there is a significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of economics teachers and students of some selected secondary schools inAbuja Municipal Area Council. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 200 respondents and 150 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. While the hypotheses were tested using T-test statistical tool, SPSS v23. The result of the findings reveals that motivation significantly influence the academic performance of students in Economics, but economics teachers do not adequately motivate their students.The study also revealed that there is a significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics. Therefore, it is recommended that the use of effective and positive motivation should be incorporated in the curriculum as an approach used in teaching economics in the classroom. To mention but a few.Table of Content
Abstract
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organizations of the Study
Chapter Two: Review of Literature
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three: Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration
Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Of The Study
Education is an instrument that affects national development in Nigeria. It helps in the development of self and the society in the social, economic and religious aspects in the country. In other words, education plays a major role as it delivers individual from diseases, ignorance and illiteracy, poverty etc. It also empowers one to contribute their quota to national development(Hamachek, 2008). However, the accomplishment of educational goads lies on the teaching and learning effectiveness which is facilitated by students motivation to learn.
Evidently, students are not performing well enough in secondary schools economic over the years. This is because students find the learning of economic concepts and maths difficult, hence, has failed to improve. However, many students needs or expects their instructor to inspire, challenge and stimulate them to enhance their performance(Grolnick, et al. 2011). Unfortunately there is no single magic formula for motivating students in order to improve student’s achievement in Economics. One of the key factors in learning mathematically inclined subjects is student’s motivation and the development of positive attitudes towardsthe subject (George,2006).
Motivation is difficult to define. The word “motivation” comes from a Latin word “movers” which means to move; thus motivation can literary mean the process of arousing movement in individual(Grolnick, et al. 2011). It is a very important factor which determines how successful we are at what we do. It serves as a driving force that gives us the will to accomplish task and eventually succeed in reaching an ultimate goal. Motivation levels can vary each day depending on how we feel, or how we view certain experience. Motivation also drives us to stick to the low fact selections and recipes required to keep our progress moving(Ryan, et al. 2000). Motivation is an influential factor in teaching and learning process. The success of learning depends on high or low motivation of students. It can drive learners in reaching learning goal. Therefore, motivation is the key of success in enhancing teaching process. High or low students’ motivation can be influenced by some factors. First, it is influenced by social life where student lives. Second, it is influenced by the teacher. Third, it is influenced by the methods used(George,2006). Fourth, it is influenced by the learning environments. In improving students’ motivation, we need to pay attention to some factors. First, we must set the interesting materials. Second, we must set goals that are meaningful, realistic and achievable for students. Third, we must set interesting environment. Finally, if we can apply all strategies in teaching-learning process, the students will reach learning goal easily(George,2006). In with the above, this study seek to examine the effect of motivation on student achievement in economic in senior secondary school.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The importance of economics cannot be overemphasized due to it being compulsory for senior secondary science students though it has not really provided the necessary motivation needed to ensure good performance in the subject (Biology).The absence of the necessary level of motivation needed to ensure good performance is a huge problem(Qureshi, 2001). This problem may have been caused by factors such as social, environmental and individual factors. In our Nigerian situation where poverty is a common place and there is a wide gap between the rich and the poor, some students background is poor which often demoralize them and mar their achievement and motivation, the children from a rich background perform better than those from a poor, illiterate and antisocial background(Hamachek, 2008).The above situation should be properly addressed by teachers to save this situation.
Secondly, the use of effective motivational strategies which don not stimulate and spur learners interest in the classroom is a common place situation of learning environment.Punishment blame suspension from class work and remark in the classroom encounter do not adequately stimulate learners interest, but reward, praise and on time feedback motivate learners in economics classes(Ryan, et al. 2000).
When the influence of motivation strategies on the academic achievement of students is carefully examined and analyzed, it becomes easy to see that teacher’s motivational support for their students comprise part of the essential condition for effective learning and achievements of the students.
1.3 Objectives Of The Study
The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of motivation on student achievement in economic in senior secondary school in Abuja Municipal Area Council. The objectives are to:
i. Determine the whether motivation significantly influence the academic performance of students in Economics
ii. Determine the extent teachers motivate their students in Economics.
iii. Assess whether parental motivation significantly influences students performance in Economics.
iv. Ascertain whether there is a significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics.
1.4 Research Questions
As a guide to the study, the following research questions were raised:
i. Does motivation significantly influence the academic performance of students in Economics?
ii. What is the extent Economics teachers motivate their students?
iii. Does parental motivation contribute to students performance in Economics?
iv. Is there any significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance.
H0:There is no significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics..
H1:There is a significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics..
1.6 Significance Of The Study
This study is to determine theceffect of motivation on student achievement in economic in senior secondary school. This research work also will look at possible solutions and recommendations that will enhance performance of students in both internal and external examination in Economics. So many researches have been carried out in this direction but our study will help in adding to the literature and current issues. It is anticipated that the study will contribute in a significant manner to the body of knowledge related to increase learners’ performance through enhanced motivation.Through this study, the government will understand that motivation in teaching and learning is not only in a single direction. They will understand that provision of facilities and equipment for teaching, caring for teachers’ welfare, organizing of seminars and workshops and employment of qualified teachers will help in motivating teachers and improve their performance. This study will enable the educational planners to bear in mind the interest of the students and the community at large when preparing curriculum as it will serve as instrument for motivating both the teachers and the students in teaching and learning. This can only be achieved if teachers and students relationship skills are adequately reflected in the Economics curriculum.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study generally focus on the effect of motivation on student achievement in economic in senior secondary school in Abuja Municipal Area Council. The study will further determine the whether motivation significantly influence the academic performance of students in Economics, determine the extent teachers motivate their students in Economics, assess whether parental motivation significantly influences students performance in Economics, and ascertain whether there is a significant difference between the performance of students who are motivated and students who are not motivated to study economics. The respondents for this study will be obtained from selected secondary schools in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
1.8 Limitation Of The Study
this research project, like all human endeavors, had some challenges that threatened to derail the study's completion. One of the reasons is that the time allotted for this work was so limited that the researcher did not have enough time to complete the task thoroughly. During data collection, the researcher also had to put forth extra effort to understand the respondents' interview schedules, several of whom fell into the incomprehensible age group. Also, there were financial and transportation constraints to deal with. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, interview).
1.9 Definition of Terms
(a) Academic Achievement:
This is the outcome or result obtained from students’ performance in the achievement test in biology.
(b) Motivation:
This simply refers to the force that spurs, arouses and sustains learner’s interest in a controlled biology classroom encounter.
(c) Interest:
A feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object or class of objects .It can also be defined as something that arouses attention.
1.10 Organizations of the Study
The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.