Study Habit as a Predictor of Senior Secondary Students’ Achievement, Retention, and Interest in Physics in Anambra State, Nigeria

Ilo Udochukwu Chukwuma; Ezeliorah Bernadette A; Okafor Therasa Ugonwa

doi:10.56201/rjpst.vol.8.no7.2025.pg63.69

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Study Habit as a Predictor of Senior Secondary Students’ Achievement, Retention, and Interest in Physics in Anambra State, Nigeria

Ilo Udochukwu Chukwuma, Ezeliorah Bernadette A, Okafor Therasa Ugonwa

Abstract

This study examined the predictive influence of study habit on senior secondary school students’ achievement, retention, and interest in Physics in Onitsha Education Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria. Poor performance in Physics, particularly in wave-related topics, has persisted in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) reports, prompting the need to explore non-cognitive variables such as study habits. The study adopted a correlational survey design. A total of 399 SS2 students were sampled from a population of 1,323 using multistage sampling. Three validated instruments were used: the Study Habit Scale in Physics (SHSP), the Physics Achievement Test (PAT), and the Physics Interest Inventory (PII). Their reliabilities were confirmed using Cronbach Alpha values of 0.80, 0.79, and 0.70 respectively. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that study habit significantly predicted Physics achievement (R = 0.65, R² = 0.42), retention (R = 0.61, R² = 0.37), and interest (R = 0.58, R² = 0.34). Multiple regression analysis further showed that gender moderated these relationships. The findings underscore the role of study habits in shaping cognitive and affective outcomes in Physics. Students with consistent, organized, and proactive study routines performed better and demonstrated higher interest and retention levels. It is recommended that Physics educators embed study skill development into instructional practices, while school counselors implement programs that promote effective study routines among students, taking gender differences into account.

Keywords

Study habitAcademic achievementRetentionInterestPhysics educationGender

References

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Study Habit as a Predictor of Senior Secondary Students’ Achievement, Retention, and Interest in Physics in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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