Gender differences in attitude and performance in elective mathematics at Senior High Schools in Accra Metro

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to ascertain the gender differences in attitude and performance in Elective Mathematics in the Senior High Schools in Accra Metro. Elective Mathematics, currently, is one of the important subject requirements for admission into attractive programs such as medicine, engineering, business, statistics, mathematics, actuarial science, economics, business administration, and architecture, among others in tertiary institutions in Ghana. To ascertain these differences, a performance test of Elective Mathematics knowledge and a questionnaire on attitude were administered to the targeted group. The performance test was made up of multiple-choice questions. The Likert type questionnaire for the students was in three (3) parts: Part A (Demographic of the respondents), Part B (questionnaire for students’ attitude toward Elective Mathematics), and Part C (Questionnaire for exploring factors affecting students’ attitude toward Elective Mathematics. A total of three hundred (300) elective mathematics students from three (3) SHS, one Boys’ school, one Girls’ School and a Mixed school in Accra metro were used for the study. Survey was the research design adopted for the study. Data were analyzed through the computation of frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, independent sample t-test as well as correlation. The current study found that students have a positive attitude toward the study of elective mathematics when it comes to gender differences in their attitude toward elective mathematics and their performance in elective mathematics. Also, the study found a significant difference in student attitudes based on gender, favoring female students. Again, the findings indicated a significant difference in the factors that students perceived to influence their academic achievement. In addition, the study discovered a weak positive relationship between students' attitudes toward elective mathematics and their academic performance in elective mathematics. It was therefore recommended that there should be a frequent elective mathematics seminars and workshop organized for students with the resource persons educating the students about the correlation between the topics they study in elective mathematics and the real-life situations. Also, topics taught by elective Mathematics teachers should be practical enough for the students to relate to.