IMPACT OF SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY IN DUTSIN-MA METROPOLIS

IMPACT OF SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY IN DUTSIN-MA METROPOLIS. A RESEARCH PROJECT TOPIC ON SCIENCE EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

Superstition is a term employed to designate beliefs that are not consistent with acceptable notions of reality and possibility. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of superstitious beliefs on secondary school students’ academic achievement in Biology.The researcher employed a survey research design, because the variables are already there and needs no manipulation.The population of this study comprised of all senior secondary schools student in 11 secondary schools in Dutsin-Ma metropolis, simple random sample was used to select 3 schools and stratified was used to select 100 students (50 males and 50 females). Two research instruments were develop by the researcher, title Biology Achievement Test (BAT) and Superstitious Belief Scale (SUBS) were used for data collection. Linear regression, correlation and T-test were used for data analysis. The results indicated that students’ superstitious beliefs alone accounts for 17.7% of the total variance in students’ academic achievement in biology (R² = 0.177, p < 0.05) this percentage is significant.It also clarified that there is no significant difference between male and female students’ level of superstitious belief (t = 0.658; p > 0.05). However the researcher recommended that Government should instigate a program in conjunction with traditional rulers and religious leaders, to create awareness among people so that the transfer of these superstitious beliefs among their generations should be reduced if not stopped at all.

Keywords: Superstitious Belief, Biology achievement.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Science is a systematic study of natural phenomena and technology is knowledge put to practical use in solving man’s problems. Many great Authors like John Dewey (1966) said that the science of various disciplines grew gradually out of useful social occupations or human activities. Therefore the need to develop students’ interest in science and technology is one of the objectives of science education. With global scientific and technological advancement occurring rapidly, declining students’ achievement in science courses is a worldwide concern that has led to science education reform efforts on an international scale. Today’s society depends on development of science and technology, teachers are expected to device ways of improving the interest and achievement in science and science-related disciplines.

IMPACT OF SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY IN DUTSIN-MA METROPOLIS. A RESEARCH PROJECT TOPIC ON SCIENCE EDUCATION