1996 Volume 1 Number 1
Variables Associated With Mathematics Achievement
Of Primary Five Pupils In Singapore
Loo Cheng Peng
Fong Ho Kheong
Abstract: This study is concerned with an investigation into the correlation of a
Number of independent variables with dependent variable of mathematics
Achievement of primary five pupils in Singapore schools. For the group of
Psychological factors (attitude towards mathematics, interest in mathematics,
memory). two questionnaires and one digit-span test were used with 200
pupils.There were four paper-and-pencil tests developed for the other group of
mathermatical factors (logical thinking ability language, mathematical concept,
computational skills). Instruments were reliability tested and validated by the
test-retest method, factor analysis method, KR20 and the cronbach alpha
methods. Multiple correlational analysis was used to determine the results.
Results showed mathematical concept with the highest correlation for all the
three groups of high medium and low achievers. The correlations were both
positive and significant. Stepwise regressional analysis also indicated that the
group of mathematical factors contributed a higher variance to mathematics
achievement that the group of psychological factors.