The Relationship between Secondary School Students Interest and their Goal Setting Self-Regulated Learning in Biology

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between secondary school students interest and their goal setting self-regulated learning in Biology. Correlation research design was used because the study investigated the relationship between two variables without the researchers controlling or manipulating any of them. The target populations for the study were secondary school Biology students in Onitsha education zone in Anambra state, Nigeria. The sample for the study was three hundred and thirty two (332) Biology students (male: 156 and female: 176) drawn through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Two research questions and one hypothesis was raised to guide the study. The instruments used to elicit the relevant data were: A twenty item instrument questionnaire called Biology Self-Regulated Interest Scale (BSRIS) and Goal Setting Self- Regulated Learning Scale (GSSRLS) which were adapted by the researchers from goal setting motivation, self –directedness interest 1990 and Development and validation of an academic self- regulation of an academic scale for university students 2013. The reliability coefficient of the two adapted instruments where .845 and .88 respectively using Cronbach's Alpha. The data collected were analysed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation for research questions and the sole hypothesis at .05 level of significance. The results revealed that there exists a direct positive relationship between secondary school students interest and their goal setting self-regulated learning in Biology but the relationship was moderate and there exist a low positive relationship between male secondary school students’ interest and self-regulatory learning in Biology and a moderate positive relationship between female secondary school students’ interest and self-regulated learning in Biology. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that secondary school students interest moderately correlate with their self-regulated learning the subject. Secondly there is significant relationship between secondary school students interest and their goal setting self-regulated learning in Biology. From the conclusions, recommendations were made.