The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria

Kazaik Benjamin Danlami

doi:10.5281/zenodo.17995970

The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria

Abstract

In many developing countries, including Nigeria, students' interest in mathematics remains persistently low despite the subject’s centrality to national development and technological advancement. This lack of affective engagement negatively impacts student performance and long-term participation in STEM fields. Addressing this problem requires innovative instructional strategies that foster emotional and intellectual investment in learning. This study examined the effectiveness of the guided discovery strategy in enhancing secondary school students’ interest in mathematics. The research adopted a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test control group design. The sample comprised 139 Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) students drawn from public schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria, selected through multistage sampling. Participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group received instruction using guided discovery, while the control group was taught using conventional lecture methods over six weeks. The Mathematics Interest Questionnaire (MIQ), a 30-item instrument rated on a five-point Likert scale and validated by experts, was used to collect data. The instrument had a strong internal consistency (ω = 0.939). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with pre-test interest scores controlled. Results indicated a statistically significant difference in post-test interest scores between the two groups, favoring the experimental group: F(1, 139) = 6.356, p = .013, η² = 0.044. The guided discovery group demonstrated higher interest (M = 69.43, SD = 9.13) than the control group (M = 62.10, SD = 10.08). The study concludes that guided discovery enhances students’ interest in mathematics and should be integrated into classroom instruction. It recommends sustained teacher training, curriculum reform to support discovery learning, and further research on its long-term impact across student subgroups and academic subjects.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Mathematics Education, Science and Mathematics Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Kazaik Benjamin Danlami ^*
0009-0003-1164-0644
Nigeria

Publication Date

December 26, 2025

Submission Date

June 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 8, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17995970

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA22UM97HW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Danlami, K. B. (2025). The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria. Journal for the Mathematics Education and Teaching Practices, 6(2), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17995970

AMA

1.Danlami KB. The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria. JMETP. 2025;6(2):137-146. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17995970

Chicago

Danlami, Kazaik Benjamin. 2025. “The Effect of Guided Discovery on Senior Secondary Students’ Interest in Mathematics in Nigeria”. Journal for the Mathematics Education and Teaching Practices 6 (2): 137-46. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17995970.

EndNote

Danlami KB (December 1, 2025) The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria. Journal for the Mathematics Education and Teaching Practices 6 2 137–146.

IEEE

[1]K. B. Danlami, “The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria”, JMETP, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 137–146, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.17995970.

ISNAD

Danlami, Kazaik Benjamin. “The Effect of Guided Discovery on Senior Secondary Students’ Interest in Mathematics in Nigeria”. Journal for the Mathematics Education and Teaching Practices 6/2 (December 1, 2025): 137-146. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17995970.

JAMA

1.Danlami KB. The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria. JMETP. 2025;6:137–146.

MLA

Danlami, Kazaik Benjamin. “The Effect of Guided Discovery on Senior Secondary Students’ Interest in Mathematics in Nigeria”. Journal for the Mathematics Education and Teaching Practices, vol. 6, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 137-46, doi:10.5281/zenodo.17995970.

Vancouver

1.Kazaik Benjamin Danlami. The effect of guided discovery on senior secondary students’ interest in mathematics in Nigeria. JMETP. 2025 Dec. 1;6(2):137-46. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17995970