Dr Cecilia Obi Nja, Dr Uduak Edet Uwe & Moses Odah Ekpen
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of scientific attitudes on students’ academic performance in Chemistry in some selected secondary schools in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State. Two hypotheses where formulated to guide the study. The research adopted survey design. The study population was one thousand (1000) SS2 Chemistry students, while the sample size was two hundred (200) SS2 chemistry students selected from ten (10) secondary schools. The first hypothesis was tested using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation analysis and the second was tested using the independent t-test analytical technique. The first hypothesis was significant which implies that student’s scientific attitude had influence on the academic performance of students in chemistry, while the hypothesis with regard to gender was not significant. This means that gender difference is not a determining factor in academic performance in chemistry. It was therefore recommended that students should be exposed to the relevance of science at the junior secondary school level to help them inculcate scientific attitude early in life. Educational needs should be provided equally for both males and females.