THE MOTIVE FOR LEARNING CHEMISTRY AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS AT CHALIMBANA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study investigated the motive for learning chemistry among 200 first year students at Chalimbana Univer- sity. The Chemistry Motivational Questionnaire, adapted from Science Motivation Questionnaire II by Glynn Brickman, Armstrong and Taasoobshirazi (2011) was used to collect the data. The dimensions of motivation measured were intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The scales used to measure intrinsic motivation were personal relevance and self-efficacy, while career and grade factors were used to measure extrinsic motivation. Version 20 SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that learners’ motive for learning chemistry was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Equal numbers of respondents indicated that they were intrinsically or extrinsically motivated.