Gender and Faculty of Study as Predictors of Undergraduate Students’ Academic Achievement in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Aims: To determine gender and faculty of study as predictor of undergraduate students’ academic achievement in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Study Design: Ex-post facto research design.

Methodology: The sample for the study was 632 100 level students selected using simple random sampling technique of balloting without replacement. These students were selected from tertiary institutions sampled for the study. The data collected were pre-existing results of 100 level students on General mathematics retrieved from the respective departments sampled earlier. Data collected was analyzed using simple regression analysis.

Results: The results of this study revealed that gender of undergraduate students had R2 change of 0.004. This indicates that gender had the predictive power of 0.40 percent for undergraduates’ achievement in General Mathematics. Also, at 1df numerator, 631 df denominator and P=.05, the calculated F value 2.54 is less than the critical F value of 3.84. Therefore, gender of undergraduates in tertiary institutions is not a significant predictor of their achievements in General Mathematics. On the other hand, the results showed that undergraduate students had R2 change of 0.009. This indicates that faculty of study had the predictive power of 0.90 percent for undergraduates academic achievement in General Mathematics. Also, at 1df numerator, 631df denominator and P = .05, the calculated F value 6.78 is greater than the critical F value of 3.84. Therefore, students’ faculty of study in tertiary institutions is a significant predictor of their achievements in General Mathematics.

Conclusion: Based on the analysis carried out, it was concluded that gender of undergraduates in tertiary institutions is not a significant predictor of their achievement in General Mathematics. On the contrary, students’ faculty of study in tertiary institutions was found to be a significant predictor of their achievements in General Mathematics.