Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 9(3), pp. 683 - 692
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2021.090328
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The Role of Goal Orientation and Epistemological Beliefs in Intrinsic Motivation among International Engineering Students

Abderrahim Benlahcene ¹, Tahira Anwar Lashari ², Sana Anwar Lashari ^3,4,*, Muhammad Waleed Shehzad ^5
1 School of Education and Modern Languages, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Sintok, 06010, Malaysia
² School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Pakistan
³ School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, Sintok, 06010 Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia
⁴ Riphah Institute of Clinical & Professional Psychology, Riphah International University, QIE Campus Lahore, Pakistan
⁵ Department of English, Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Islamabad, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Many studies have examined separately the impacts of goal orientations and epistemological beliefs on intrinsic motivation; however, they have not investigated the two concepts in combination to examine their interrelationships with intrinsic motivation. Using Self-Determination theory, this study utilized a cross-sectional research design involving 338 international engineering students who were selected by multistage sampling. Data were analyzed through SPSS v.23. Results of the correlation analysis revealed a significant association between goal orientation and intrinsic motivation. However, associations with epistemological beliefs were found to be insignificant. Moreover, multiple regressions revealed that goal orientations were found to be the only and the main predictor constructs that account for variance in intrinsic motivation. The results of this research provide support for a growing body of evidence regarding the positive outcomes of goal orientation adoption among the students. The findings can be used by educational instructors to offer and establish the optimal learning environment by the inclusion of interesting and enjoyable activities, along with helping students to foster their intrinsic motivation by setting optimal and realistic goals during their academic activities in the university phase.

KEYWORDS
Goal Orientation, Epistemological Beliefs, Intrinsic Motivation, Self-determination Theory, International Engineering Students

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Abderrahim Benlahcene , Tahira Anwar Lashari , Sana Anwar Lashari , Muhammad Waleed Shehzad , "The Role of Goal Orientation and Epistemological Beliefs in Intrinsic Motivation among International Engineering Students," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 683 - 692, 2021. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2021.090328.

(b). APA Format:
Abderrahim Benlahcene , Tahira Anwar Lashari , Sana Anwar Lashari , Muhammad Waleed Shehzad (2021). The Role of Goal Orientation and Epistemological Beliefs in Intrinsic Motivation among International Engineering Students. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 9(3), 683 - 692. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2021.090328.