Self-Confidence and Public Speaking Anxiety Research Notes

Research Project Overview

• Project Title: Relationship Between Self-Confidence and Public Speaking Anxiety Among Undergraduate Students
• Author: Ayodele Olutoke Ololade
• Matriculation Number: SOS/23/24/0295
• Institutional Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
• Submission Date: May, 2026

Chapter One: Introduction

• Background to the Study:     - Effective communication is categorized as an essential requirement for both academic and professional success.     - Public speaking is identified as a vital component of communication that necessitates specific levels of confidence and clarity.     - A significant number of students experience public speaking anxiety, which negatively impacts their overall performance.
• Statement of the Problem: Many undergraduate students suffer from anxiety during public speaking tasks, a phenomenon particularly prevalent among individuals possessing low self-confidence.
• Objectives of the Study:     1. To determine the current level of self-confidence among the student population.     2. To examine the prevalence and nature of public speaking anxiety.     3. To investigate and examine the relationship between self-confidence and public speaking anxiety.
• Research Questions:     1. What is the specific level of self-confidence among students?     2. What is the recorded level of public speaking anxiety?     3. Is there a measurable relationship between self-confidence and public speaking anxiety?
• Research Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between self-confidence and public speaking anxiety (Null Hypothesis).
• Significance of the Study: The findings of this research provide benefits to several stakeholders, including:     - Undergraduate students     - Academic lecturers     - Professional counselors     - Future researchers in psychology and education
• Scope of the Study: The study is specifically delimited to undergraduate students.
• Operational Definition of Terms:     - Self-confidence: Defined as an individual's belief in their own ability.     - Public speaking anxiety: Defined as the fear associated with speaking in front of an audience.

Chapter Two: Literature Review

• Self-Confidence: Conceptualized as the internal belief or conviction in one's own ability to perform specific tasks effectively.
• Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA): Described as the specialized fear or apprehension experienced when an individual is required to speak in a public setting.
• Theoretical Framework:     - Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory: This theory serves as the foundation for the study, explaining human behavior based on the individual's belief in their personal capability to execute necessary actions.

Chapter Three: Methodology

• Research Design: The researcher adopted a descriptive survey design.
• Target Population: The population consists of undergraduate students.
• Sample Size: The study utilized a sample of $51$ students.
• Research Instrument: Data was collected using a structured questionnaire known as the Self-Confidence and Public Speaking Anxiety Questionnaire (SCPSAQ).
• Validity: The instrument's validity was ensured through expert review.
• Reliability: Reliability was confirmed using the test-retest method.
• Data Analysis Techniques: Collected data were analyzed using:     - Frequency counts     - Percentages     - Pearson Correlation ($r$)

Chapter Four: Data Analysis

• Demographic Characteristics of Respondents:     - Gender Distribution:         - Male: $14$ ($27.5\%$)         - Female: $35$ ($68.6\%$)         - Not Indicated: $2$ ($3.9\%$)     - Age Distribution:         - $15$ to $19$ years: $41.2\%$         - $20$ to $24$ years: $52.9\%$         - $25$ years and above: $3.9\%$     - Academic Level (Year of Study):         - $200$ Level: $58.8\%$         - $300$ Level: $27.5\%$         - $400$ Level: $9.8\%$
• Hypothesis Testing Results:     - Correlation coefficient: $r = -0.62$     - Significance level: $p < 0.05$     - Finding: The results indicate a significant negative relationship between self-confidence and public speaking anxiety. As self-confidence increases, public speaking anxiety tends to decrease.

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations

• Summary of Findings: The study established a statistically significant negative correlation between the levels of self-confidence and the levels of public speaking anxiety reported by students.
• Conclusion: The research concludes that higher self-confidence acts as a factor that reduces public speaking anxiety.
• Recommendations:     - Students are encouraged to actively engage in activities that build their self-confidence.     - Lecturers should foster an environment that encourages student presentations and participation.     - University counselors should provide targeted support systems for students struggling with anxiety.
• Limitations of the Study:     - The study was limited by a small sample size ($n = 51$).     - The research was conducted within a single institution.
• Suggestions for Future Research: Subsequent studies should expand their scope to include multiple higher education institutions to increase generalizability.

References

• Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control.
• Johnson, P. & Brown, T. (2019). Journal of Social Psychology.
• Okafor, C. (2021). Nigerian Journal of Psychology.