Sociological Factors Influencing the Academic Motivation of Students Studying at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

This survey study set out to investigate the sociological factors influencing the academic motivation of students. The statistical population comprised all students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. A sample size of 255 students was selected using the optimum stratified sampling method. The data were collected by means of questionnaires. The results showed that students'' academic motivation was above average significantly with a mean of 63. 2 (in a 0-100 range). The regression analysis of academic motivation revealed that «academic success»، «the positive assessment of educational reference groups»، «student-parents’ interaction» and «prospect of future career» had a positive effect and «socioeconomic status» had a negative effect on academic motivation. The path analysis revealed that two variables، i. e. satisfaction with educational and research facilities and professor-students interaction، indirectly improved the prediction of academic motivation. However، the academic motivation of students varied across faculties while gender of students did not show any difference with regard to academic motivation. The researchers concluded that the increased student-parent interaction as well as the appreciation of student’s success in the family and university will improve students’ academic motivation.