CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ STUDY HABITS: EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING IMPLICATIONS

Study habit is a pivotal educational counseling psychology construct impacting on effective learning and there has been increasing reports in research literature about its deterioration among students in all cultures and countries. This study, therefore, examined the study habits of Nigerian and Pakistani secondary school students by providing quantitative comparative analysis on the basis of country, religion, age, gender, class and parents’ occupation of the students. The sample consisted of a total of 194 students made up of 102 Nigerians and 92 Pakistanis. Quantitative data was collected with a validated Study Habits Inventory and analyzed using SPSS version 17 descriptive statistics, t-test and chi-square. The findings showed that 84% of Nigerian students reported good study habits compared to 86% of Pakistani students who reported same. However, the 16% of Nigerian students and 14% of Pakistani students who self-reported poor study habits are significant enough to attract attention of educationists in both countries. Significant differences in good study habits on the basis of gender and class were found among Pakistani subjects only while combined sample analysis of both countries showed significant differences on the basis of gender. Implications of these findings for educational counseling in the 21st century changing world are discussed.