PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF STATISTICS ANXIETY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITIES IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

 The study sought to find out the predictability of statistics anxiety among undergraduate students of universities in Cross River State, Nigeria using personal and environmental variables. To achieve the purpose of the study, one research question and one null hypothesis was formulated and tested at .05 level of significance. A review of related literature was carried out based on the variables of the study. Ex-post-facto research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was made up of 16,569 three hundred level students from University of Calabar and University of Cross River. Two instruments, Personal and Environment Variables Questionnaire (PEVQ) and Statistical Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS) were used to gather data from 887 students. The instruments were subjected to face validation by the researchers who are experts in the field of Educational Measurement and Evaluation. Cronbach-alpha reliability method was used to determine the reliability coefficients of the instruments ranging from .610 to .816. The data collected were analysed using multiple regression analysis with the help of SPSS package version 20.0. The research findings revealed that self-concept, student attitude toward learning of statistics, teacher-student relationship, classroom environment and availability of instructional facilities were found to be significant predictors of statistics anxiety among undergraduate students of universities in Cross River State. It was therefore recommended, among others, that statistics teachers should spend class time assisting students to see the day-to-day importance of the worth of statistics and also employ strategies aimed at improving undergraduate attitudes toward learning statistics. Teacher-student relationships in the courses should be considered very important. This will result in improved academic outcomes in statistics.