Comparison of Academic Motivation between Business and Healthcare Students in Online Learning: A Concurrent Nested Mixed-Method Study

Kotera, Yasuhiro; Gorchakova, Valentina; Maybury, Sarah; Edwards, Ann-Marie; Kotera, Hiromasa

Abstract

While the demand for online education and the diversity of online students have been increasing worldwide, how online students motivate themselves to continuously engage in learning remains to be appraised. Research in the face-to-face contexts reports that academic motivation is central to student success and wellbeing, and the type of motivation can differ by subject. In particular, the motivation of business students and healthcare students can differ considerably. This study aimed to understand the motivation of online students, and compare them between business and healthcare students using a concurrent nested mixed-method design with correlation and thematic analyses. A survey regarding motivation, learning enjoyment, and study willingness was responded to by 120 online students (61 business and 59 healthcare). Business students were associated with extrinsic motivation, whereas healthcare students were associated with intrinsic motivation. While students in both groups enjoyed the pursuit of knowledge, healthcare students valued the process and accomplishment, whereas business students regarded education as steppingstones in their careers. Findings can help educators develop effective motivational support for these student groups.

Citation

Kotera, Y., Gorchakova, V., Maybury, S., Edwards, A., & Kotera, H. (2022). Comparison of Academic Motivation between Business and Healthcare Students in Online Learning: A Concurrent Nested Mixed-Method Study. Healthcare, 10(8), Article 1580. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081580

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 18, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 19, 2022
• Publication Date: Aug 19, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 4, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 7, 2022
• Journal: Healthcare
• Electronic ISSN: 2227-9032
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: 1580
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081580
• Keywords: academic motivation, online students, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, mixed-method
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/10358450
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/8/1580