Correlational analyses between mathematics anxiety and mathematics achievement among vocational college students

Abstract

Students with mathematics anxiety have always been found different from their non-anxious peers on measures of mathematics performance. The current study investigated the phenomenon of mathematics anxiety among vocational college students and its relationship with mathematics achievement. A total of 150 second year students were selected to complete the mathematics anxiety scale. Relative mean analysis indicated that 50% (n=75) of the samples were categorized as mathematics anxiety students. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed that a significant negative correlation exists between mathematics anxiety and mathematics achievement. The results of simple regression showed that mathematics anxiety was a significant predictor of mathematics achievement. Findings of this study suggest that the phenomenon of mathematics anxiety among vocational college students should be addressed in order to ensure that they can perform well in mathematics courses and thus achieve their aims to graduate successfully.