Statistical analysis of the factors affecting students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions: A case study of the department of statistics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

This research examined factors affecting students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions taking the department of statistics, ABU, Zaria as a case study. Five factors namely: family income, adequacy of lecture halls, availability of reading materials, interest in course of study and reading habits; were considered. A sample of 100 students from the department of statistics was selected purposively and data was obtained through a structured questionnaire with a response value of 90 students. Multiple regression analysis revealed a model which proved to be significant at 0.05 level of significance by Analysis of variance and a multiple correlation value of 0.551 which indicates a strong positive relationship between CGPA and the predictors. The coefficient of determination posited that 30.4% of the variation in academic performance was explained by the predictor variables. The result of the analysis indicated that availability of reading materials, interest in course of study and reading habits contribute to students’ academic performance (CGPA).