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.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Mathematics Education,
Faculty of Science Education, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Mathematics Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
DECEMBER, 2022