Academic Motivation Levels of Secondary School Students and Their Attitudes towards a Social Studies Course

Abstract

The present study aims to reveal the motivation levels of secondary school students and their attitudestowards a Social Studies course. This study employed a mixed method approach. The quantitative datawere collected through the use of an “Academic Motivation Scale” and an “Attitude Scale for a SocialStudies Course”. The qualitative data were obtained through a structured interview. Four hundred andforty-three secondary school students participated in the quantitative part of the study, while fourty-fivesecondary school students participated in the qualitative part of the study. The results of the quantitativesection are given in two separate parts: a motivation scale, and an attitude scale. A significant differencewas observed in the introjected regulation levels of male secondary school students. The scores foridentified regulation and motivation were in favor of female students. There was no difference in themotivation scores according to the socio-economic levels of the students. However, the motivation levelsof the students decreased as the grade level increased. The attitudes of participants towards the SocialStudies course did not differ according to both gender and grade level of the participants. According tothe school variable, a difference was observed between schools with a low socio-economic status andthose with high socio-economic status. The qualitative data revealed a majority of students had positiveattitudes towards the Social Studies course. Furthermore, the factors that enhance student motivationtowards the Social Studies course were found to be related to the study of History, having an interest inthe course, and the way the course is taught.