Motivation and strategies for learning in traditional-aged college students: An exploratory study

Midwest, and examine if and how these patterns differ between freshmen and sophomores co-enrolled in sections of the same course.The intent was to provide valuable information to that university's administrators, instructors, advisors, and student development professionals concerning how to achieve their goal of increasing student success and retention by supporting students' development of beliefs and skills necessary for that success.Research Questions This study sought to answer the following research questions: Research Question 1: What pattern(s) of motivation and what use of learning strategies as measured by the MSLQ can be found in freshmen and in sophomores at a four-year college or university?Research Question 2: After controlling for prior achievement as measured by high school grade point average (GPA), what similarities and differences in the patterns of motivation and use of learning strategies as measured by the MSLQ can be found in freshmen and in sophomores at a four-year college or university?Research Question 3: Is there a significant relationship between motivation or use of learning strategies and student achievement as measured by final course grade?Research Question 4: Are MSLQ scale scores significant predictors of college student retention/persistence?