ABSTRACT

The present study is part of a large-scale research project aiming at investigating factors that influence student motivation in Higher Education. This chapter presents selected results from the first phase of this research which asked students to reflect on their approaches and attitudes to studying the last time they were in formal education. A revised version of the Study Processes Questionnaire (Biggs, 1987b) was distributed to first year undergraduates during induction week. In total there were over 600 respondents from a diverse range of disciplines. Age, gender and course registered for were found to have a significant effect on students’ approaches to study. There were no significant interactions between these factors. The results are discussed in terms of the methodology of this research area and the implications for Higher Education.