ASSESSMENT THE INFLUENCE OF MOTIVATION AND GENDER ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN ECONOMICS IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GINDIRI, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of motivation and gender on students‘ performance in Economics in Economics in College of Education Gindiri Plateau State. The study formulated two specific objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses. The study employed descriptive survey design approach.―Students Gender Academic Performance Test (SGAPT) and a self-designed questionnaire titled ―Students‘ Academic Performance Motivation Questionnaire (SAPMQ), a 5-point rating scale instrument. The face and content validity of the SGAPT and the SAPMQ were validated by the experts. Test Re-test and Cronbach Alpha Coefficient Techniques were used to determine the reliability of the instrument. Reliability coefficients of 0.789 and 0.823 were obtained. The face-to-face method of instrument administration was used. Frequency tables, Mean and standard deviation, Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient and Independent ttest as tools of analysis. The findings revealed that motivated students are more likely of exhibit perseverance in tackling academic problems, they employ effective learning strategies, they manage their time effectively and can perform excellently well in examinations. The results showed that motivated students set realistic goals, students that received words of encouragement and praises perform better, intrinsically and extrinsic motivations by lecturers enhances students‘ performance. The results showed that male students had a higher mean score
than their female counterparts and there is no significant difference between male and female students‘ academic performance in Economics in College of Education Gindiri Plateau State. The study concluded that motivation had significant influence on performance and an insignificant difference exists in the mean academic performance on students in College of Education, Gindiri, Plateau State with the following recommendations; economics lecturers should ensure they motivate their students in order to enhance their academic performance in economics, economics lecturers should always consider students gender when teaching so as to improve on their academic performance in economics in College of Education Gindiri.