Influence of Students’ Goal Orientation on Senior Secondary School Students’ Interest in Chemistry in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if student goal orientation had any significant connections with students’ interest in chemistry. This study adopted the survey design of the ex-post facto type. Data were collected from 250 chemistry students from six senior secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis using two well-validated and reliable instruments. Results showed that 28% of the students were mastery-oriented while 72% were performance-oriented. The findings also showed that even though a slight difference in interest means scores was observed, in favour of mastery-oriented, it was not significant. Therefore, students’ goal orientation and interest are closely related and students’ interest in chemistry is regardless of their goal orientations.

Keywords: mastery-oriented, performance-oriented, goal orientation, students’ interest in chemistry

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-29-07

Publication date:October 31^st 2021