The effect of classical instrumental background music volume on performance in mathematics tests, self efficacy, and test anxiety of college students

The goals of this quantitative study were to investigate the effects of volume of background classical instrumental music on algebra test scores of engineering college students, mathematics test anxiety and mathematics self efficacy. Most of the related research findings are based on the comparison of subject test scores between students who had music instruction and those that had not. Some scientists explain that resulting benefits of music could be linked to improvement in reasoning and visualization in space due to development of the brain resulting from stimulation of some senses by music. Previous research suggests that music listening enhanced productivity and morale at work, and that people use music listening to manage their well-being in daily life. To meet the objectives of this research the researcher carried out a study involving a class of thirty students who were divided into five groups, one control and four treatment groups. Six hypotheses were tested. Each group sat for a mathematics test composed of 12 problems. The treatment group took the test while listening to music at different volume levels. The loudness of music varied from minimum (no music) to safe maximum level. Test scores, mathematics test anxiety and mathematics test self-efficacy data was collected. Statistical analysis was then carried out on the results. Results from this study showed that five of the six hypotheses tested in the study were not accepted, The results showed that at low volume of instrumental music, the students' mean scores in algebra test were lowest. As the volume of music was gradually increased, the corresponding algebra mean test scores increased. This study has shown that music could be used to lower mathematics test anxiety levels of students. The study also shows that mathematics test scores had inverse variations with mathematics test anxiety. Correlations were found between means of students' algebra test scores; mathematics test anxiety and mathematics test self-efficacy and volume of classical instrumental music exist. The volume of classical instrumental music was found to positively affect performance. The results and conclusions from this study introduced new ideas that previous research had not considered.