The Role of Motivational Strategies in Prediction of Grade Point Average Among Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

authors:

avatar Mehdi Mirzaei-Alavijeh ORCID 1 , avatar Yahya Pasdar ORCID 2 , avatar Naser Hatamzadeh 3 , avatar Laleh Solaimanizadeh ORCID 4 , avatar Shiva Khashij 1 , avatar Farzad Jalilian ORCID 5 , *

Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
Lifestyle Modification Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

how to cite: Mirzaei-Alavijeh M , Pasdar Y , Hatamzadeh N, Solaimanizadeh L , Khashij S, et al. The Role of Motivational Strategies in Prediction of Grade Point Average Among Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Educ Res Med Sci. 2019;8(2):e94234. https://doi.org/10.5812/erms.94234.

Abstract

Background:

Motivational strategies are important determinants in students’ academic achievement.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of motivational strategies in prediction of grade point average (GPA) among university students.

Methods:

This analytical cross-sectional study recruited 300 students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was done by simple random sampling with probability proportional to size in each faculty. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the motivational strategies components, GPA status, and background variable. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression.

Results:

The participants’ age ranged 18 to 29 with a mean of 21.08 ± 1.26 years. GPA was significantly associated with the motivational strategies (r = 0.137 and P = 0.026). The motivational strategies components accounted for 9% of the variation in the outcome measure of the GPA. Extrinsic goal orientations (beta = 0.279 and P < 0.001) and test anxiety (beta = -0.287 and P < 0.001) were the best predictors of GPA.

Conclusions:

Based on our results, planning educational programs to increase extrinsic goal orientation and reduce the test anxiety may be enhancing GPA among university students.

1. Background

Motivation is a general term for identifying the common ground between needs, cognition, and excitement (1). Motivation influences how people spend time and energy, and insist on achieving goals (2). One of the factors influencing learning is motivation, which can affect different aspects of learner’s behavior in educational settings (3). Among various factors affecting student performance, academic motivation is one of the most effective ones and studies show that students who do not have enough motivation will not make much effort for academic success (4). Low levels of motivation cause pessimism, anxiety and depression, and may lead to a decline in students' academic performance (5). Because of the impact of motivation on students’ academic achievement, psychologists have conducted several studies to identify the factors affecting motivation for progress and self-management learning. Pintrich indicated when learners actively participate in motivational and learning areas, self-regulated learning occurs. In this type of learning, learners make and manage learning activities. Self-regulation theory has two components of motivational strategies and learning strategies that are recognized as the most important determinants of academic achievement. Motivational strategies include three sub-components of (a) value component (intrinsic goal orientation, extrinsic goal orientation, and task value), (b) expectancy component (control beliefs, and self-efficacy for learning and performance), and (c) affective components (test anxiety); as well as, learning strategies include cognitive and meta-cognitive learning strategies (6). The success or failure of study is one of the main concerns of each educational system, which indicates its success (7). Studying the academic achievement of students and the factors affecting it and the need to review educational programs (8) are the most important reasons that make the current study necessary.

2. Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of motivational strategies in prediction of grade point average (GPA) among university students.

3. Methods

3.1. Participants

This analytical cross-sectional study recruited 300 students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) during 2018 - 2019. For sampling, all faculties were considered as a cluster, and finally the participants were selected using simple random sampling proportional to the size of each cluster. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the motivational strategies, GPA status, and background variable. Incomplete questionnaires were excluded. After removal of incomplete questionnaires, 264 questionnaires were analyzed (response rate was 88%).

3.2. Ethical Considerations

The Research Ethics Committees (REC) of KUMS approved the study protocol (IR.KUMS.REC.1397.076). Participants were briefed about the study method, confidentiality of data, and objectives of the study. All the selected students were willing to participate.

3.3. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria were being undergraduate and doctorate student, having passed at least one semester, and signing informed consent form. The exclusion criterion was incomplete questionnaires.

3.4. Measures

Questionnaire included three sections:

3.4.1. Background Variable Questionnaire

This questionnaire included age (year), sex (male, female), marital status (single, married), level of education (B.Sc., doctorate), school (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health and nutrition, nursing and midwifery, allied medical sciences), job (just student, student and employed), parents’ education level (under high school diploma, high school diploma, higher education), and living in dormitory (yes, no).

3.4.2. GPA Scale

The outcome variable in the current study was GPA (0 to 20) during data collection.

3.4.3. Motivation Strategies Scales

Motivational strategies were evaluated by the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). It has 31 items in three components of value, expectancy, and affective. The value component has 14 items (score range 14 - 98) and measures three subscales of intrinsic goal orientation, extrinsic goal orientation, and task value. Four items measure intrinsic goal orientation, and four items measure extrinsic goal orientation. Task value includes six items. Expectancy component has 12 items (score range 12 - 84) and measures two subscales of control beliefs, and self-efficacy for learning and performance. Four items measure control and eight items measure self-efficacy for learning and performance. Furthermore, the affective component has 5 items (score range 5 - 35) and measures one subscale of test anxiety. More details of motivational strategies scale are shown (Table 1). A seven-point Likert scale from 1 (not applicable) to 5 (completely applicable) is used to measure motivation items (9, 10). The validity and reliability of this questionnaire have been confirmed in Iran (11, 12).

Table 1.

Examples of Scale Items of Motivational Strategies

Components, Sub-ComponentsItemsSample ItemCronbach's Alpha
Pintrich StudyThe Present Study
Value
Intrinsic goal orientation4In a class like this, I prefer course material that really challenges me so I can learn new things.0.740.70
Extrinsic goal orientation4Getting a good grade in this class is the most satisfying thing for me right now.0.620.74
Task value6I think I will be able to use what I learn in this course in other courses.0.900.77
Expectancy
Control beliefs4If I study in appropriate ways, then I will be able to learn the material in this course.0.680.64
Self-efficacy for learning and performance8I believe I will receive an excellent grade in this class.0.930.86
Affective
Test anxiety5When I take a test I think about how poorly I am doing compared with other students.0.800.75

3.5. Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed in SPSS-16. The linear regression model was performed to determine the role of motivational strategies on GPA. Pearson correlation was performed to assess the correlation between the subscale of motivational strategies and GPA. Pearson correlation was also performed to assess the correlation between the motivational strategies and age among the participants. In addition, linear regression analysis was performed to explain the variation in GPA on the basis of motivational strategies components. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire.

4. Results

The age range of participants was 18 to 29 with a mean of 21.08 ± 1.26 years. Details of students’ background variables are shown (Table 2).

Table 2.

Distribution of the Background Variables Among the Students

VariablesNumber (%)
Sex
Male109 (41.3)
Female155 (58.7)
Marital status
Single246 (93.2)
Married18 (6.8)
Level of education
B.Sc.136 (51.5)
Doctorate128 (48.5)
School
Medicine93 (35.2)
Dentistry15 (5.7)
Pharmacy21 (8)
Health and Nutrition45 (17)
Nursing and Midwifery41 (15.5)
Allied Medical Sciences49 (18.6)
Job
Just student248 (93.9)
Student and employed16 (6.1)
Mother education level
Under high school diploma95 (36)
High school diploma86 (32.6)
Higher education83 (31.4)
Father education level
Under high school diploma60 (22.7)
High school diploma89 (33.7)
Higher education115 (43.6)
Living in dormitory
Yes146 (55.3)
No118 (44.7)

The mean score of motivational strategies was 159.20 ± 27.21 (range: 31 - 217). Our results showed participants required 73.36% of the maximum achievable score for motivational strategies. The mean ± SD and percentage of maximum achievable score (PMAS) of motivational strategies sub-components are as follows: value 72.71 ± 14.51 and 74.19: including sub-components of intrinsic goal orientation 20.78 ± 5.02 and 74.21; extrinsic goal orientation 20.97 ± 5.30 and 74.89; and task value 30.95 ± 6.93 and 73.69, expectancy 63.87 ± 12.24 and 76.03: including sub-components of control beliefs 22.17 ± 4.48 and 79.17; and self-efficacy for learning and performance 41.70 ± 9.07 and 74.46, and affective 22.61 ± 5.87 and 64.603: including sub-component of test anxiety 22.61 ± 5.87 and 64.6.

Bivariate associations among subscales of motivational strategies and GPA are shown. Our findings indicated GPA was associated with the intrinsic goal orientation (r = 0.128), extrinsic goal orientation (r = 0.162), task value (r = 0.142), control beliefs (r = 0.125), and self-efficacy for learning and performance (r = 0.187), while inversely correlated with test anxiety (r = -0.173) (Table 3).

Table 3.

Motivational Strategies Subscale Correlation Matrix

Mean (SD)123456
Intrinsic goal orientation (1)20.78 (5.02)1
Extrinsic goal orientation (2)20.97 (5.30)0.392b1
Task value (3)30.95 (6.93)0.678b0.548b1
Control beliefs (4)22.17 (4.48)0.458b0.395b0.533b1
Self-efficacy for learning and performance (5)41.70 (9.07)0.693b0.548b0.681b0.581b1
Test anxiety (6)22.61 (5.87)0.124a0.407a0.185a0.157a0.144a1
GPA15.82 (1.67)0.128a0.162b0.142a0.125a0.187a-0.173b

Furthermore, motivational strategies was significantly related to the GPA (r = 0.137 and P = 0.026).

Among sub-components of motivational strategies, extrinsic goal orientation (beta = 0.279 and P < 0.001) and test anxiety (beta = -0.287 and P < 0.001) were the best predictors of GPA. Moreover, the predictor variables accounted for 9% of the variation in GPA; F = 13.703, P < 0.001 (Table 4).

Table 4.

Predictors of the GPA by Motivational Strategies

Un-Standardized CoefficientsStandardized CoefficientstP Value
BStd. ErrorBeta
Step 1
Intrinsic goal orientation0.0020.0300.0050.0550.956
Extrinsic goal orientation0.0680.0250.2152.6750.008
Task value-0.0020.023-0.007-0.0780.938
Control beliefs0.0120.0280.0310.4170.677
Self-efficacy for learning and performance0.0170.0180.0930.9460.345
Test anxiety-0.0790.019-0.278-4.269< 0.001
Step 2
Extrinsic goal orientation0.0680.0250.2142.6910.008
Task value-0.0010.021-0.005-0.0610.952
Control beliefs0.0120.0280.0310.4180.676
Self-efficacy for learning and performance0.0180.0160.0951.0660.287
Test anxiety-0.0790.019-0.278-4.278< 0.001
Step 3
Extrinsic goal orientation0.0670.0240.2132.7680.006
Control beliefs0.0110.0270.0300.4150.678
Self-efficacy for learning and performance0.0170.0150.0931.1560.249
Test anxiety-0.0790.019-0.278-4.286< 0.001
Step 4
Extrinsic goal orientation0.0680.0240.2152.8170.005
Self-efficacy for learning and performance0.0200.0130.1091.5420.124
Test anxiety-0.0790.018-0.277-4.277< 0.001
Step 5
Extrinsic goal orientation0.0880.0200.2794.332< 0.001
Test anxiety-0.0820.018-0.287-4.449< 0.001

5. Discussion

The result of the current study indicated that students gained 73.36% of the maximum achievable score for motivational strategies. Our findings indicated a “weak” positive correlation between the motivational strategies and GPA; that is, the higher the score of motivational strategies, the better the student’s GPA. This finding is consistent with that of other studies (11, 12). These studies show the need for designing educational programs to promote motivational strategies among students.

Our findings indicated GPA was associated with task value, extrinsic goal orientation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and test anxiety. This finding is consistent with that of other studies (13, 14). Test anxiety is a psychological situation in which persons experience extreme distress and anxiety in exam conditions, and can actually impair learning and exam performance (15). Several studies have reported the negative effects of test anxiety on academic achievement, that is, greater test anxiety lowered academic achievement (13, 14). In order to prevent test anxiety, it has been suggested to promote self-esteem and reduce fear of failure as one of the most effective ways (16, 17). It appears that programs for promoting self-esteem and reducing fear of failure can help prevent test anxiety and consequently improve GPA.

Our results also indicated a significant correlation between task value and GPA. Task value refers to what a student learns from the content of a course or how to perform a task (18). Several studies have also been conducted on the relationship between task value and academic achievement; for example, Pintrich (6), Bong (19), and Martin-Krumm et al. (20) in their studies reported that various dimensions of task value have a positive and significant relationship with GPA among students. Our findings also confirm these studies.

Self-efficacy is another aspect of motivational strategy defined as judging individuals about their ability to organize and execute a series of tasks to achieve a goal. Numerous studies have shown that it is one of the predictors of academic achievement (21, 22). Self-efficacy perception of previous successes is a stronger and more effective predictor of success (23). Considering the importance of self-efficacy in improving GPA, it should be addressed in educational planning.

This study has limitations such as self-report data collection which can have the risk of recall bias, as well as gathering information only among a group of medical students, which can make generalizability of the results difficult.

5.1. Conclusions

Our results suggest that educational programs be planned to increase extrinsic goal orientation and reduce test anxiety in order to promote GPA among university students.

Acknowledgements

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