Assessment of Academic Motivation Level of Undergraduate Medical Students of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective To assess the academic motivation level of undergraduate medical students of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Methods A total of 378 Poonch Medical College (PMC) students were included in this cross-sectional study. The academic motivation scores of the study subjects were measured using a 28-item, five-point Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) questionnaire originally developed by Deci and Ryan (1985). The tool was checked for internal consistency and was interviewer-administered. Motivation level was quantitatively presented and compared across gender and medical years. Results The highest mean motivation score (4.04 ± 2.71) was observed for the statement "Because this will help me make a better choice regarding my career orientation." The following statements showed a statistically significantly higher mean motivation level in females as compared to males: "Because eventually, it will enable me to enter the job market in a field that I like" (p .008) and "for the pleasure that I experience when I read interesting authors" (p .001). But for the statement, "I once had good reasons for going to college; however, now I wonder whether I should continue," males showed a higher motivation level (p. 0.19). A statistically significant difference in mean motivation level was seen across medical years for the following statements: "For the intense feelings I experience when I am communicating my own ideas to others," "For the pleasure that I experience when I read interesting authors," "Because this will help me make a better choice regarding my career orientation," "For the satisfaction I feel when I am in the process of accomplishing difficult academic activities," and "Because I want to show myself that I can succeed in my studies" (p-value