Predicting the Students’ Performance in Mathematics Based on Mathematics Self-efficacy and Mathematics Study Skills; the Moderating Role of Gender

The purpose of the present research was to predict students' mathematical performance based on mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics study skills. The statistical population of this correlational-descriptive study was composed of all the first-grade high school students in Joghatai city (N=354). It should be noted that the latter population was composed of 176 female and 178 male students. Regarding the sampling method, it was decided to make use of census method. Besides, math scores for the first semester of the 2014-2015 academic year, Mathematics Self-efficacy Scale (Midgley & Middleton, 1997) and Mathematics Study Skills Inventory were used to collect the required data. The content validity of the questionnaires was confirmed using the experts’ opinions. Furthermore, the reliability of questionnaires was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. The results showed that mathematics self-efficacy as well as such components as learning strategy, time management and taking the test had a positive and significant relationship with mathematical performance. Besides, the results of stepwise regression showed that mathematical performance could be predicted through mathematics self-efficacy and learning strategy. In addition, in order to evaluate the moderating impact of gender, the results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that gender could modify the relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and mathematical performance.