Academic Motivation and Relevant Predictive Factors in Pharmaceutical Students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran in 2016

Abstract

Background & Objective: The research aimed to determine the level of academic motivation and some of the relevant factors in pharmaceutical students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran in 2016. Materials and Methods: This was an applied research in terms of objectives with a descriptive-correlational design. Study population included all pharmaceutical students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (N=290) in the academic year of 2016-2017. In total, 168 subjects were selected using the Cochran formula and stratified random method. Data collection tools included three questionnaires of academic motivation, as well as occupational and individual factors, face and content validity of which was previously confirmed by experts. In addition, reliability of the research tools of academic motivation and occupational and institutional factors was estimated at the Cronbachs alpha of 0.88, 0.71, and 0.76, respectively. Results: Analysis of the data through descriptive and inferential statistics demonstrated that the mean academic motivation of students was at an acceptable level and higher than the hypothetical mean. Moreover, a significant relationship was observed between academic motivation and variables of economic status of family, GPA (university grade), and occupational factors (P less-than 0.05). Results of the regression table also demonstrated that occupational factors and university GPA determined the significance of academic motivation. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, university GPA had an impact on the academic motivation of students and was able to predict this concept to a certain extent.