title: Academic performance in human anatomy and physiology classes: a 2-yr study of academic motivation and grade expectation.
abstract: This project used a nonexperimental design with a convenience sample and studied the relationship between academic motivation, grade expectation, and academic performance in 1,210 students enrolled in undergraduate human anatomy and physiology (HAP) classes over a 2-yr period. A 42-item survey that included 28 items of the adapted academic motivation scale for HAP based on self-determination theory was administered in class during the first 3 wk of each semester. Students with higher grade point averages, who studied for longer hours and reported to be more motivated to succeed, did better academically in these classes. There was a significant relationship between students' scores on the adapted academic motivation scale and performance. Students were more extrinsically motivated to succeed in HAP courses than intrinsically motivated to succeed, and the analyses revealed that the most significant predictor of final grade was within the extrinsic scale (introjected and external types). Students' motivations remained stable throughout the course sequence. The data showed a significant relationship between HAP students' expected grade and their final grade in class. Finally, 65.5% of students overestimated their final grade, with 29% of students overestimating by two to four letter grades.
authors: School of Heath and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia; dsturges@georgiasouthern.edu.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Sturges
authors: School of Human Ecology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia;
authors: Trent W
authors: TW
authors: Maurer
authors: School of Nursing, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia; and.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Allen
authors: Department of Physics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia.
authors: Delena Bell
authors: DB
authors: Gatch
authors: School of Heath and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia;
authors: Padmini
authors: P
authors: Shankar
mesh_terms: D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*; D013340:Students, Premedical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: academic motivation; grade expectation; health majors; longitudinal study; self-determination theory