Published Article

ABSTRACT

The study examined psychosocial metrics and students’ academic performance in Biology in secondary schools in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The study was guided by three research questions and three research hypotheses. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted 2635 Senior Secondary Two (SS II) Biology students in public secondary schools in Nsit Atai Local Government Area. A sample size of 328 Biology SS II students obtained using Taro Yamane’s formula was used for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample size for the study. Two researcher-developed instruments were used in collecting data for the study. The instruments were tagged “Psychosocial Metrics Questionnaire (PMQ) and   Biology Performance Test (BPT)”. The instruments were duly validated by three experts in Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, Uyo. After which Cronbach Alpha statistics was used   in obtaining reliability coefficients of 0.82 and 0.84 for the PMQ and BPT respectively. Pearson Product Momment Correlation Statistics was used in answering the research questions and in testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that self-esteem, motivation and peer pressure significantly predict students’ academic performance in Biology in secondary schools in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. Recommendations made among others included; Biology teachers should use motivating instructional approaches, such as practical activities, real-life applications and instructional technologies to improve students’ academic performance. In addition, schools should adopt supportive teaching strategies and provide effective guidance services to help reduce students’ academic anxiety in Biology.

KEYWORDS: Psychosocial Metrics, Students’ Academic Performance, Biology, Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State.