Children's attitudes towards mathematics : a study on Junior Lyceum Form One students

Abstract

This study investigates the attitudes of form one Junior Lyceum students towards mathematics. A 24 item attitude questionnaire based on children's writings about their general feelings towards mathematics was constructed. The Attitude Test comprises three subscales, namely: Subscale 1 - Importance and Utility; Subscale 2 - Lessons and Textbook; and Subscale 3 - Topics and Exams. In addition, children were asked to indicate their preferences to 8 affective type questions. The Attitude Test was pilot tested twice. The Attitude Test was administered to 82 girls and 78 boys attending form one classes in two Junior Lyceums with overlapping catchment areas. Tests for reliability and validity showed that the test is both reliable and valid. Students were also found to be reasonably consistent in their responses. Analysis of the data involved the study of variables such as, the students' age, their family social background and their achievement in mathematics, in relation to their attitudes towards mathematics. Sex differences on attitudes were also investigated.