Examining components of attitudes towards mathematics among senior secondary school students in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the components of attitudes towards mathematics among 1500 senior secondary school students from 20 co-educational public schools in the Lagos State of Nigeria using the quantitative research method within the blueprint of the descriptive survey design. Data collected using the component of attitudes toward mathematics scale (Cronbach alpha coefficient α=0.96) were analysed using the descriptive statistics of frequency count, percentage, mean, and standard deviation and inferential statistics of independent samples t-test and factor analysis. Findings revealed that senior secondary school students’ level of components of attitudes toward mathematics was at a moderate level. Components of attitudes towards mathematics scale was a multi-dimensional construct consisting of cognitive, behavioural and affective elements. Gender differences in components of attitudes towards mathematics among senior secondary school students were significant and in favour of the males. Based on this study, it was thus, recommended that future studies in Nigeria and elsewhere should investigate further the confirmatory factor analytic structure of the components of attitudes towards mathematics scale among senior secondary school students.