IMPACT OF STUDY HABIT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
In the field
of education & psychology, learning has been discovered all over the world
to be a highly complex problem. Several researchers have tried to explain it
differently and the description of each is partially true. Over the years, researches on factors
that influence academic performance
of students have attracted the interest
of not only researchers but concern of teachers, counselors,
psychologists, and school
administrators as well. Study method is the knowledge and application of
effective study skills or techniques by students. The term study habit refers to the way in which
students’ study either systematically,
efficiently or inefficiently. In line with what has been said above, we can
deduce that good study habit will
definitely yield positive academic performances and achievement and also inefficient or poor study habit leads
to academic failure. Students’ attitude and study habit towards any subject has
been described as a function of passion coupled with their belief on that
particular which has a long way to go on their academic performances.
In Nigeria, many factors have been
highlighted to influence the ability of students to cultivate effective and efficient
study habit. Such factors include; state of health, motivation, anxiety and
state of mind, conducive and suitable environment for studying, availability of
textbooks and well equipped libraries. In a research carried out by (Nuthana
& Yenagi, 2009) the causes of poor academic performance among Nigeria
students were thoroughly examined. In which some of these factors identified include;
low student’s intellectual ability, achievement motivation, lack of goals, low
self-esteem, low socio-economic status of the family, poverty and poor study
habit as a major factor.
A survey was carried out in some
selected schools in Nigeria to identify some major causes of low academic
performances in students. Some of the problems identified include inadequate teachers,
problem of inadequate facilities in the school, problems caused by poor
parental background, unfavorable government policies and low educational sector
funding (Ajila and Olutola 2007). Likewise, Ichado (1998) also dispute environment
from which the student comes from play a major role in influencing study habits
which invariably affect academic performance. The concept of study habit is
broad as it combines nearly all other sub-topics under it such as study attitude,
study method, and study skill. In a research conducted by Allport (1960), it
was argued that attitude toward study by drafting a good study pattern can
greatly contribute to students’ academic performance. Successful learners all
over the world are said to have adopted positive attitude towards study and are
time conscious over what they have to do.
According to Hussain (2000) study habit
refers to predispositions which students have developed towards private
readings through a period of time. According to him, study habit is a gateway
to successful achievement in studies.
A research was carried out by Morahan
(1999), he found out that male and female have different ways of studying
(study habit). In this study, he discovered that the male student took up courses
that have more of logic and sciences while female student were attracted to
simpler courses and such it is in line with their passion which require
different study habit and might have a positive effect on academic performance
of students. Positive academic
performance and achievement depends upon the student’s ability to schedule
his time, the plan of his study, the
habit of concentration, note –taking, mental review, over learning, the judicious application of
whole and part method massed and distributed
learning and so on. In other words, positive academic performance is a function
of proper study habits and
skills. Since study habits are an
important factor in learning, it becomes necessary to investigate into its
nature.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The problems associated
with study habits might have a major effect on a student’s academic
performances, it is believed that everyone has a different study habit and it
is important to find out the best personal way to study. Studying with friends
has a long way to go in student’s study habits, it has a positive influence in
which they discuss what have been read together but also has a negative effect
in which they might not read but discuss throughout the stipulated time for
reading which boils down to time wastage.
A very good
and conducive environment encourages students study habit and might have
positive impact of their academic achievements but students reading in an
unfavorable environment might find it difficult to study which might affect
their academic achievements. Students with financial constraints might also
find it difficult to perform excellently well in their academics
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The following are the objectives of this study:
1. To examine the correlation between
study habit and academic performance
2. To examine the effect of study environment
on study habit
3. To determine factors affecting
students’ study habit and academic performance
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the correlation between study
habit and academic performance?
2. What is the effect of study environment
on study habit?
3. What are the factors affecting
students’ study habit and academic performance?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis
1
HO: There is no significant relationship between study
habit and academic performance
HA: There is significant relationship between study
habits and academic performance
Hypothesis 2
HO: There is no significant relationship between study
environment and students’ academic performance
HA: There is significant relationship between study
environment and students’ academic performance
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The following are the significance of this study:
1. The outcome of this study will help
students in understanding the effect on study habit and study environment on
their academic performance and helps in serving as a guide for a positive
result.
2. This research will also serve as a
resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out
further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to
provide new explanation to the topic.
1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF STUDY
This study
on the impact of study habit on academic performance of students will cover various
approaches to study and its effect on the academic performance of students.
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the
efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature
or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and
interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this
study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time
devoted for the research work.
1.8
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Study: application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as
by reading, investigation or reflection
Habit: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has
become almost involuntary.
Performance: the accomplishment of a given task measured against preset
known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost and speed
Students: a person formally engaged in learning, especially one
enrolled in a school or college
REFERENCES
Ajila&
Olutola (2007) Relationship between broken homes and academic achievements of
secondary school students in Oredo LGA of Edo state, Nigeria. College student
journal publisher, June 2012, 6 (2).
Hussain, A
(2000) Effect of Guidance Services on Study Attitudes, Study Habit and Academic
Achievement of Secondary School Students.
Ichado S.M
(1998) Impact of Broken Home on Academic Performance of Secondary School
Student in English Language. Journal of Researches in counselling Psychology.4
(1):- 84 – 87.
Morahan-Martin,
J.(1999) Cyber psychology and behaviour. OCTOBER 1999,2(5):431-439. Absract
Nuthana,
P.G& Yenagi, G.V.(2009): influence of study habits, self concept on
achievement of boys and girls. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol.22 No.51135-1138