ABSTRACT

This study investigated self-efficacy and goal orientation as correlates of research statistics anxiety among postgraduate students in Universities in South-East Nigeria. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a correlational research design. The sample for the study consisted of 329 respondents drawn through two stage sampling techniques from 10001 Postgraduate Students in Universities in South-East Nigeria. Three instruments were developed for the study. They are Students’ Statistics Anxiety Identification Scale (SSAIS), Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SEQ) and Students’ Goal Orientation Scale (SGOS). The instruments were validated by three experts from Educational Psychology, Counselling and Measurement and Evaluation, Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture, Umudike. The reliability co-efficient of the instruments were established using Cronbach’s alpha method which yielded indices of .73, .83, and .80 for, Students’ Statistics Anxiety Identification Scale (SSAIS), Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and Students’ Goal Orientation Scale (SGOS), respectively. Data obtained through the administration ofthe three instruments were organized and analyzed using Pearson’s r, R2 (coefficient of determination) to answer the research questions while multiple regressions were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance which revealed the following findings: A positive relationship exists between self-efficacy and research statistics anxiety among postgraduate students. A positive relationship exists between goal orientation and research statistics anxiety among postgraduate students. Significant gender differences do not exist in the relationship between self-efficacy and research statistics anxiety among postgraduate students. No significant gender differences exist in the relationship between goal orientation and research statistics anxiety of postgraduate students. The researcher recommends that; stake holders (parents, psychologist and Counsellors should create awareness and organise seminars on the implication self-efficacy and goal orientation as a correlate ofresearch statistics anxiety. Teachers at all level waking up to their responsibilities to students will be a good help in arousing students interest in statistics courses and thus, reducing research statistics anxiety among postgraduate students.