Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis of the Determinants of Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematics at Basic Education Certificate Examination

Abstract

The focus of the study is to use multinomial logistic regression model to analyze the determinants of students’ academic performance in mathematics. A simple random sample of 393 students was selected from a cohort of first year students of Zamse Senior High/Technical in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The students were admitted in the 2015/2016 academic year to pursue various programmes in the school. A questionnaire was used to gather data from the students. The results indicate that the occurrence of good performance in mathematics is largely dependent on sex of students with male students showing significantly good performance than female students. Another significant predictor of good academic performance in mathematics was the age of students; with younger students exhibiting good academic performance than older students. Mother’s employment also contributes significantly to good performance in mathematics with students whose mothers are employed showing good academic performance than their counterparts whose mothers are not employed.