The use of goal setting in improving first-year science and non-science major students' academic success and intrinsic motivation
department or school: Science, Irving K. Barber Faculty of (Okanagan)
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCO
creator: Hay, Tristyn N.
issued: 2021-08-12T18:29:22Z
issued: 2021
related degree: Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: The fundamental question this study aims to answer is one that many educational researchers are trying to understand: How can we best improve the academic success of our students? Students are most successful academically and otherwise when they are intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation can be increased and maintained when student autonomy, competence and relatedness are nurtured (Deci & Ryan, 2000). As goal setting, particularly SMART goals, may help to embed these psychological requirements, this research sought to determine whether SMART goal setting will result in an increased level of intrinsic motivation and thus academic success. Levels of intrinsic motivation, metacognition and self-control along with grades were assessed in both science and non-science majors in first year post-secondary students utilizing pre- and post- self-reporting questionnaires and a single online goal setting intervention. When the intervention was received earlier in the term, science majors’ grades increased; however, no other responses were observed. In the non-majors there was an increase in self-control, control of learning beliefs, metacognition and intrinsic motivation three weeks following the intervention. Across both majors and non-majors, students’ self-control was also observed to be correlated with goal usage and goal completions. This study suggests that goal setting may be a worthwhile endeavor in the struggle to improve students’ academic success and persistence in first year post-secondary students.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/79277
note: THE USE OF GOAL SETTING IN IMPROVING FIRST-YEAR SCIENCE AND NON-SCIENCE MAJOR STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND INTRINSIC MOTIVATION By Tristyn N. Hay M.Sc., The University of British Columbia (Okanagan), 2013 B.Sc., The University of British Columbia, 2005 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (IGS) (Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) July 2021 ÓTristyn Hay, 2021 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis/dissertation entitled: The Use of Goal Setting in Improving First-Year Science and Non-Science Major Students’ Academic Success and Intrinsic Motivation Submitted by Tristyn Hay in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Richard M. Plunkett, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Supervisor Dr. Peter Arthur, School of Education Supervisory Committee Member Dr. W. Stephen McNeil, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Tamara K. Freeman, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences University Examiner Dr. Alison B. Flynn, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa External Examiner iii Abstract The fundamental question this study aims to answer is one that many educational researchers are trying to understand: How can we best improve the academic success of our students? Students are most successful academically and otherwise when they are intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation can be increased and maintained when student autonomy, competence and relatedness are nurtured (Deci & Ryan, 2000). As goal setting, particularly SMART goals, may help to embed these psychological requirements, this research sought to determine whether SMART goal setting will result in an increased level of intrinsic motivation and thus academi…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2021-09
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0401394
language: eng
degree discipline: Interdisciplinary Studies
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
contributor: Plunkett, Richard
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/79277