Prediction of attitude and interest of science students of different ability on their academic performance in basic science

Abstract

The study measures and predicts the effect of attitude and interest of students on academic performance in science. It investigates which of the variables, as essential attribute to study integrated science, will predict students’ performance. Its aim is also to find out which one of the variables is influenced first under a particular teaching method. Three instruments were used for the study. They are, Science Oriented Attitude Scale (SOAS), Science Vocational Interest Inventory (SVII) and Achievement Test in Integrated Science (ATIS). The study is a quasi-experimental type. The sample of the study consisted of 30 Junior Secondary School one Students in Nigeria. Multiple regression was used to analyze the hypothesis raised for the study and the outcome shows that Science Interest possessed the strongest strength for predicting performance than attitude among the students in their different ability level group. It is therefore recommended that, teachers should use good innovative methods that will stimulate students’ interest in an attempt to make learning of science more meaningful to the learners and thereby generating improved leaning outcomes that will lead to a change of attitude to science. Key words: Students attitude, academic performance, basic science, vocational interest, prediction.