The Effect of Science Phobia on Students’ Academic Achievement in Biology in Public Secondary Schools in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa State

Abstract

This study examined the influence of science phobia on students’ academic achievement in Biology in public secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa State. The independent variables examine were; test anxiety, self concept and gender while dependent variable is students’ academic achievement in Biology. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions and three research hypotheses were posed and formulated respectively to guide the study. Literature was reviewed based on the variables in the study. The research design was adopted for this study was Ex-post facto design. Three hundred (300) SS2 students who offered Biology in public secondary schools were randomly selected for this study. The instrument used for data collection was a 12-item questionnaire named science phobia (SPQ) Questionnaire and achievement test in Biology constructed by the researcher. One Way Analysis of Variance(ANOVA) and Independent t-test statistic was used as statistical tool for data analysis. Each of the hypotheses was tested at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there was significant influence of test anxiety, self concept, gender on the academic achievement of SS 11 students in Biology. It was recommended among other that regular seminars should be organized occasionally by the school administrators to enlighten students on the importance of Biology. This will help to develop positive test anxiety, self-concept in Biology as well as motivate them to study the subject and reduce science phobia among them. KEY WORD; Science, Phobia, gender, test anxiety, self concept, Academic achievement.