The relationship of self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics and metacognitive self-regulated physics learning with physics achievement of form 3 students at Domasi Demonstration Secondary School in Malawi

Abstract

The study was aimed at determining the relationships among self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics, metacognitive self-regulated physics learning and physics achievement of Form 3 physics students at Domasi Demonstration Secondary School in Malawi. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was adapted and used to collect data on self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics and metacognitive self-regulated physics learning from 40 Form 3 physics students at Domasi Demonstration Secondary School in Malawi in their Term 3 of the 2019 academic year. The physics achievement scores of the students were collected by an End of Term 3 Physics Examination. A multiple correlation coefficient analysis was used to determine the relationships among self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics, metacognitive self-regulated physics learning and physics achievement of the Form 3 physics students. It was revealed that the relationship of self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics and metacognitive self-regulated physics was moderately strong and positively correlated. Similarly, physics achievement and self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics were also moderately strong and positively correlated. Lastly, the relationship between physics achievement and metacognitive self-regulated physics learning was revealed to be weak but positively correlated. The findings, further, indicated that a moderately strong and positive significant relationship existed between self-efficacy for learning and performance in physics and metacognitive self-regulated physics learning with physics achievement. Recommendations for students’ support, teaching strategies, and future research are provided.