Individual Variables and Crime Vulnerability Among Teenagers in Secondary Schools in Ikom Education Zone of Cross River State – Nigeria and Counseling Needs (Published)

Citation: Philip A. Okpechi  and  Ambor A. Ogar  (2022) Individual Variables and Crime Vulnerability Among Teenagers in Secondary Schools in Ikom Education Zone of Cross River State – Nigeria and Counseling Needs, British Journal of Education, Vol.10, Issue 2, pp. 13-21

Abstract: The very reason of this study was to investigate the influence of individual variables on crime vulnerability among teenagers in secondary school in Ikom Educational Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria.  The independent variable is attitude to stealing while dependent variable was crime vulnerability.  Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study.  The population of the study was six thousand three hundred and thirty-nine (6.339) Senior Secondary three (SS 3) students in eighty-four public secondary schools in Ikom Education Zone.  The sample of the study was 450 respondent selected form seventeen secondary schools in the study area.   Proportionate sampling and simple random sampling technique were used to select the schools and subjects use for the study.  The instrument used for data collection was researchers made questionnaire titled individual variables and crime vulnerability questionnaire (IVACVQ).  The instrument was validated by two experts in Test and measurement and one Expert from Guidance and Counselling both from the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State.  Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient estimates of the instrument were between .72 to 87 which indicated that the instrument was highly reliable.  In order to achieve the purpose of the study, one null hypothesis was formulated and tested at .05 alpha levels using simple linear regression analysis.  The result showed that students attitude to stealing have significant influence on crime vulnerability among the subjects.  Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that counselors should direct counseling towards addressing teenage crimes – in the society.

Keywords: Individual, Variables, Vulnerability, teenage crimes

Some Common Misconstructions and Misinterpretations in Basic Algebra: A Case of Students of University for Development Studies and Navrongo Senior High School in Ghana (Published)

This study investigated some common misconstructions and misinterpretations in basic algebra among students of University for Development Studies (UDS) and Navrongo Senior High School (NAVASCO) in Ghana, with a view to exposing the nature and origin of these errors and making suggestions for classroom teaching. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approach to data collection process, involving the use of pencil-andpaper tests and interviews. The quantitative data involved a pre-tested test for its validity and reliability given to 50 students. Furthermore, interviews were later organised directly for ten students purposefully selected to identify their misconstructions, misinterpretations and reasoning processes. Data analyses were largely done through descriptive statistics and incorporated elements of inferential statistics such as independent t-test. The main conclusions drawn from this study were attributed to lack of conceptual knowledge and basic understanding of algebra. 

Keywords: Algebra, Expressions, Misconstruction, Misinterpretation, Variables