European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

Effect of Mathematical Games on Nigerian Students’ Performance in Mathematics in
Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt Metropolis 260
The boys in school 1 had the posttest mean score of 9.1 and standard deviation of 2.9. While
the girls mean score was 10.2 and standard 2.7. The difference between the mean was 1.1 in favour of
girls.
The boys in school 2 had a posttest mean score of 7.7.and standard deviation 2.3, while the girls
mean score was 8.2and standard deviation 2. The difference between the means is 0.5 in favour of the
girls. The boys in school 3 had a posttest mean score of 11.2 and standard deviation of 3.1 while the
mean score for girls was 10.1 with standard deviation 3.9. The difference between the mean is 1.1 in
favour of boys.
Hypothesis i
1. Null Hypothesis (Ho1): There is no significant difference between the student’s pretest and posttest
scores in the experimental group within each school.
Table 5: Non-Independent t-test analysis of the difference between students pretest and posttest scores for
experimental group within each school.
Variables N X
sd t critical t calculated
Pretest (sch. 1) 30 6.2 2.5 2.045
Post test (sch.1) “ 10 2.8 7.3
Pretest (sch. 2) 30 4.0 1.8
Post test (sch.2) “ 8.0 2.1 “ 12.2
Pretest (sch. 3) 30 7.0 3.5
Post test (sch.3)
p>0.05. Degree of Freedom = 29.
“ 11.0 3.5 “ 6.5
Decision: The data in the table above showed that there was a significant difference between the
pretest and posttest scores of students in the experimental group in each of the schools. This was
because the critical t-value of 2.045 is less than any of the calculated t-values of 7.3, 12.2 and 6.5
respectively in each of the schools given 0.05 level of significance at 29 degree of freedom.
Hypothesis ii
1. Null hypothesis (Ho2): There is no significant difference between the students pretest and the
posttest scores in the control group within each school?
Table 6: Non-Independent t-test analysis of the difference between students pretest and posttest scores for
control group within each school.
Variables N X sd t critical t calculated
Pretest (sch. 1) 30 5.5 2.7
2.045
Post test (sch.1) “ 8.0 3.8
3.6
Pretest (sch. 2) 30 5.0 3.0
Post test (sch.2) “ 5.0 2.6 “ 2.4
Pretest (sch. 3) 30 5.1 3.6
Post test (sch.3)
P>0.05. Degree of Freedom = 29.
“ 9.7 3.0 “ 5.9
The result of the data analysis as presented in the above table showed that the calculated tvalues
3.6, 2.4 and 5.9 for the schools respectively were greater than the critical t-value of 2.045 at
0.05 level of significance with 29 degree of freedom. This means that there is a significant difference
between the pretest and post test scores in each of the schools. In school 2 however there was no
increase in mean score, yet the t-value was significant.