EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY ON MATHEMATICS STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT AND GOAL ORIENTATION IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EDUCATION DISTRICT IV, LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated effect of self-efficacy on mathematics students’ achievement and goal orientation in senior secondary schools in Education District IV, Lagos State. Five research questions and five research hypotheses guided this study. Quasi-experimental design was employed in this study. The sample size for the study was 60 participants, who were grouped into experimental and control groups of 30 participants each. These participants were selected from two senior secondary schools in the chosen Education District. Research instruments used for data collection were Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) and Motivation Scale on Goal Orientation (MSGO). Data collected were analysed using independent t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The study found among others that self-efficacy has significant effect on students’ academic achievement in mathematics in senior secondary schools; self-efficacy has significant effect on goal orientation among senior secondary schools Mathematics students; and significant difference exists in the academic achievement of Mathematics students exposed to self-efficacy and those in the control group. The study concluded that self-efficacy has significant effect on mathematics students’ achievement and goal orientation in senior secondary schools. The study recommended among others that Mathematics teachers should use learner-centred instructional methods that promote mastery learning for students’ better academic achievement; and school counsellors should encourage mathematics students to develop and adopt positive academic goals.