Factors Affecting Students’ Academic Motivation and Achievement Motivation in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Students learn similarly in terms of ability and talent, but they have many differences in academic achievement. These differences can be shown not only in school lessons but also in other extra-curricular activities. The present study aims to investigate the factors affecting academic motivation and achievement motivation in students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS).

Methods: In this analytical, cross-sectional study, the study sample included all students of KUMS studying in various majors in the academic year 2013-2014. A total of 296 (135 male and 161 female) students were selected through stratified random sampling. Herman’s achievement motivation scale, Vallerand’s academic motivation scale, and factors affecting checklist were used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS-18 software using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (binary regression).

Results: Binary regression analysis showed that among studied variables, future better jobs (P=0.01, Beta=0.509) and educational facilities (P=0.02, Beta=2.46) could play important roles in factors affecting students’ achievement motivation, and having a positive self-image (P=0.04, Beta=0.501) and tendency to optimism about personal abilities (P=0.001, Beta=5.52) could play important roles in factors affecting students’ academic motivation.

Conclusion: According to the results, it is suggested that consideration should be given to improve the academic achievement of educational facilities; also, the importance of self-efficacy of the students should be noted more. Moreover, motivational workshops on increasing academic motivation of students should be held by universities.