MATHEMATICS SKILLS IN BASIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AS PREDICTORS OF STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT IN GENETICS IN NSUKKA EDUCATION ZONE, ENUGU STATE NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.6033Palabras clave:
Mathematics Skills, Ratio Skills, Probability Skills, Graph Interpretation, Genetics, Academic AchievementResumen
This study investigated mathematics skills in Basic Science and Technology as predictors of students’ achievement in genetics. Specifically, the study examined the predictive power of ratio skills, probability skills, and graph interpretation skills on students’ achievement in genetics, as well as their joint contribution. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the Senior Secondary School 3 Biology students in Nsukka education zone, from which a representative sample size of 276 Biology students was drawn using multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using researchers’ designed instruments titled, “Mathematics Skills Test in Basic Science and Technology (MSTBST) covering ratio, probability, and graph interpretation skills, and Genetic Achievement Test (GAT)”. The designed instruments were validated. The reliability coefficients of the instruments yielded an indices of 0.92 and .89 for MSTBST and GAT respectively using Kuder Richardson 20 (KR-20) formula. Data collected were analyzed using linear and multiple regression analyses. The findings revealed that ratio skills accounted for approximately 20% of the variance in students’ achievement in genetics and significantly predicted achievement. Probability skills accounted for about 27% of the variance and also showed a significant predictive influence. Graph interpretation skills accounted for approximately 16% of the variance and significantly predicted students’ achievement, although with a relatively lower contribution. Furthermore, the joint contribution of ratio skills, probability skills, and graph interpretation skills accounted for approximately 51% of the variance in students’ achievement in genetics, indicating a strong combined predictive effect. Based on the findings, it was concluded that mathematics skills are significant predictors of students’ achievement in genetics. It was therefore recommended that teachers integrate ratio, probability, and graph interpretation skills into the teaching of genetics to enhance students’ understanding and academic performance.
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