Students’ Perception and Its Impact on Ghanaian Students’ Interest in Mathematics: Multivariate Statistical Analytical Approach
Yarhands Dissou Arthur *
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Technology Education, University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus, Ghana.
Samuel Asiedu-Addo
Department of Mathematics Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Charles Assuah
Department of Mathematics Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study aims at addressing the effect of students’ perception and its impact on student interest in Mathematics using multivariate statistical techniques. One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Three (1263) students were drawn from ten (10) Senior High Schools in the Ashanti region of Ghana using structured questionnaires to investigate the effect and impact of student perception on their interest in Mathematics. The study used multivariate techniques to investigate and further predict the effect and impact of student perception on student interest in Mathematics. The study concluded that, negative perception of student about Mathematics significantly influence their interest in Mathematics negatively however, students perception explains almost 9% (P<0.001) of students interest in Mathematics. The study recommended for practice teaching methods that inculcates motivations to help reduce bad perception to optimize interest.
Keywords: Students perception, mathematics, interest, Ghana, principal component.