Socio-Economic Status, Truancy, Learning Styles, Peer Pressure and Gender as Correlates of Undergraduate Students’ Academic Performance in Taraba State University Jalingo, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated socio-economic status, truancy, learning styles, peer pressure and gender as correlates of undergraduate students’ academic performance in Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, Nigeria. The study adopted correlational research design. The sample of this study was made up 150 undergraduate students of faculty of Education TSU was selected using multistage sampling techniques. The instruments used for data collection were socio-economic status, truancy, learning styles, peer pressure and gender questionnaire (STLPGQ) and CGPA of undergraduate school in faculty of education, TSU for 2018/2019 session. STLPGQ was validated by three experts in education related disciplines and one expert in measurement and evaluation. STLPGQ was trial tested which yielded the reliability coefficient of 0.89 using Cronbach Alpha. Five research questions raised in the study were answered using multiple regression analysis while the five null hypotheses formulated in the study were tested using ANOVA of regression analysis. The study revealed among other that there is no significant relationship between socio-economic status and undergraduate students academic performance in TSU, Jalingo [F1, 133 = 6.331; p>0.05]. There is significant relationship between truancy and undergraduate students academic performance [F1, 133 = 18.090; p<0.05]. There is no significant relationship between learning styles and undergraduate students academic performance [F1, 133 = 17.009; p>0.05]. There is significant relationship between peer pressure and undergraduate students academic performance [F1, 133= 19.119; p<0.05]. There is no significant relationship between gender and undergraduate students academic performance [F1, 133 = 10.319; p>0.05]. It was recommended among that, educational administrators and lecturers should set up disciplinary measures to reduce truancy and peer pressure. Parents should help in proper monitoring of undergraduate student activities curb truancy and peer pressure in order to enhance academic performance of students in TSU, Jalingo.