Impact of Positive Reinforcement on Pupils' Absenteeism: A Case Study at Felicomfort Junior High School (JHS), Amamoma in Cape Coast, Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jep.436Keywords:
Reinforcement, motivation, absenteeism, basic schoolAbstract
Purpose: This study focused on finding out the impact of positive reinforcement on pupils' absenteeism at Felicomfort JHS at Amamoma within the University of Cape Coast community.
Methodology: The quasi-experimental and descriptive designs were used in conducting the study. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in carrying out the study to get to the bottom of the phenomenon investigated. The population was 56 comprising Junior High School (JHS) One and Two pupils of the school. The sample size for the study was 14 pupils purposively sampled out of the total number of 56. Pre-intervention test, post-intervention test, interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. Data analysis was done, using paired sample t-test, frequency and percentage counts with the Predictive Analytical Software (PASW) version 21.
Findings: The study revealed a statistically significant difference in the pre-intervention results (Mean = 2.643, Std. Dev. = 1.382) and that of the post intervention (Mean =4.786, Std. Dev. = 1.829) [t = 6.382, df = 13, p = 0.001]. The eta square analysis was 89 percent (η2 = 0.89) indicating a significant impact of positive reinforcement on modifying pupils' behaviour of absenteeism. Analysis of the questionnaire revealed that 80% of the pupils became regular at school as a result of the application of positive reinforcement.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It was recommended that the government through the District Assemblies should offer financial assistance to poor parents and single parents to enable them adequately cater for their children at school.Downloads
References
Aggarwal, J. C. (1995). Essentials of educational psychology. Vikas Publishing House PVT Ltd.
Amedahe, F. K. (2002). Fundamentals of educational research methods. UCC Press
Amponsah, M. O., Senyametor, F. & Gyambrah, M. (2016). An assessment of basic school teachers' perception of motivation on their productivity Ghana. Published article, University of Cape Coast.
Brophy, J. (1981). Teacher praise: A functional analysis. Review of Educational Research, V (51), 5-32.
Bruner, C., Discher, A., & Chang, H. (2011). Chronic elementary absenteeism: A problem hidden in plain sight. A Research Brief from Attendance Works and Child and Family Policy Center. http://www.edweek.org/media/chronicabsence-15chang.pdf
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education. Routledge.
Craighead, W. E., Kazdin, A. E., & Mahoney, M. J. (1981). Behaviour modification: Principles, issues, and applications. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Databank. C. T. (2015). Student Absenteeism. https://www.childtrends.org/?indicators=student-absenteeism.
Demir, K. & Akman Karabeyoglu, Y. (2015). Factors Associated with Absenteeism in High Schools. www.ejer.com.tr/index.php?git=22&kategori=159&makale=1008
Epstein, J. L. & Sheldon, S. B. (2002). Present and accounted for: Improving student attendance through family and community involvement. Journal of Educational Research, 95(5), 308-318
Felicomfort, JHS. (2016). Felicomfort JHS attendance records. Amamoma: Cape Coast Felicomfort JHS
Johnmarshal, M. (2009). Chronic school absenteeism and the role of adverse childhood experiences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28927940
Kauffman, J. M. (1996). Research to practice issues. Behavioral Disorders, 22, 55-60.
Koomson, A. K., Brown, P., Anyagre, P., Ahiatrogah, P., & Dawson-Brew, F. (2017). Educational psychology. Cape Coast: College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast.
Lussier, R. N., &Achua, F. C. (2011). Leadership; theory, application, skill development. New York: South Western Publishing.
Lutheran, P. (2017). Church Human Resource Policy Manual. https://www.rmselca.org/.../st_philip_lutheran_church_human_resource_policy_manu.
Myers, D. G. (2007). Exploring psychology (7th ed.). Worth publishers.
Nkansah, N., Ninson,S., Owusu, B. F. & Prempeh, O. L. ( 2017). The impact of absenteeism on the academic performance of pupils of Ebom-Bomfa JHS. Unpublished dissertation. University of Cape Coast.
Pallant, J. (2014). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows (Version 19). Lisbourne: Allen and Unwin.
Pullen, P. C. (2004). Phonological awareness assessment and instruction: A sound beginning. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261063471_Lane_H_B_Pullen_P_C_2004_Ph nologicl_aw
Sarantakos, S. (1998). Social research. London: Macmillan.
Senyametor, F., Gyimah, E., & Minadzi, V. M. (2018). Factors causing pupils' absenteeism at felicomfort junior high school at Amamoma in Cape Coast. Ghana: Cape Coast
Skinner, B. F. (1963). Operant Behaviour. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0045185. (18), 503-515
Teasley, M. L. (2004). Absenteeism and truancy: Risk, protection, and best practice implications for school social workers. Children and Schools, 26(2), 117-128.
Vidyakala1, K. & Vaishnavi, M. (2015). Factors Influencing Student Absenteeism in School. https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v6i6/ART20174829.pdf
Vroom, V. (1964). Work and reinforcement. John Wiley & Sons.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
