Influence of Peer Group on the Academic Achievement of Tertiary Institution Students in Elementary Mathematics in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the influence of peer group on tertiary institution students’ achievement in elementary mathematics in Ogun State, Nigeria. Descriptive Survey design was employed for this study. The population consists of students of Tai Solarin University of Education and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria. The sample size was 400 students randomly selected by the researcher using simple and proportionate stratified random sampling techniques in the two tertiary institutions in Ogun State. Three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Self-designed questionnaire was used as the research instrument which was validated by experts. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of the items was found to be 0.87. Chi-square statistical tool was used for data analysis. The finding revealed that there is significant influence of peer group on the achievement of students in elementary mathematics in tertiary institutions (X² cal  =  465.004 ˃ critical value = 8.666); there is significant difference between male peer influence and female peer influence on the achievement of students in elementary mathematics in tertiary institutions (X² cal = 331.738 ˃ critical value = 8.383 ); and there is significant difference between the achievement of students under positive peer influence and negative peer influence (X² cal = 381.980 ˃ critical value = 7.176). It was concluded that peer group influence plays a vital role in the lives and social adjustment of students. Based on the study, it was recommended that parents should be watchful of the types of friends kept by their children.