An Examination of Science High School Students’ Motivation towards Learning Biology and Their Attitude Towards Biology Lesson

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine motivation of students studying in Science High School towards learning biology and their attitude towards biology lesson. The sample of the study consists of 564 high school students (308 females, 256 males) studying at two science high schools in Aksaray, Turkey.  In the study relational screening method which is a descriptive survey model was utilized. “Academic Motivation Scale for Learning Biology” consisting of 4 sub-dimensions (intrinsic motivation, amotivation, extrinsic motivation-career and extrinsic motivation-social) and 19 items and “Biology Science and Course Attitude Scale” consisting of 3 sub-dimensions (interest, pleasure and anxiety) and 23 items were utilized. Data were interpreted in accordance with arithmetic mean, percentage, frequency and significance level. Significance level was taken as 0.05. As a result of the research arithmetic means of students’ intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation-career sub-dimensions were found to be above the scale mean. Students’ mean score in amotivation and extrinsic motivation-social sub-dimensions were below the scale mean. However, students’ arithmetic mean in each of sub-dimensions in attitude scale were average. Highest relation among sub-dimensions of motivation and attitude scales was found to be between intrinsic motivation and interest, and intrinsic motivation and pleasure sub-dimensions. Nevertheless, as a result of the evaluation done in terms of students’ gender and class level it was determined that there is significant difference between their gender and class levels in sub-dimensions of motivation and attitude scales.