Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Piano Lauree Scientifiche

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Chimica nella Scuola n. 2 2025

Iscriversi ai Corsi di Laurea in Chimica: uno studio sulle motivazioni alla base della scelta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1473/cns.v2i2.246
Submitted
27 June 2025
Published
30-06-2025

Abstract

Academic drop-out is influenced by a wide range of factors, including social, economic, and psychological aspects. In this preliminary study, we focus on the psychological factors and explore the motivations driving university freshmen to enroll in a chemistry program. To achieve this, we surveyed approximately 1,000 students from various Italian universities, assessing their motivations, attitudes, identity, and self-efficacy in chemistry. A cluster analysis identified four distinct student profiles: Moderately Motivated, Highly Motivated, Differently Motivated, and Failed Admission, each significantly associated with the contextual variables measured. Our findings reveal that fewer than one in five chemistry freshmen are highly motivated, highlighting the need for greater attention to orientation policies at both local and national levels.

References

  1. K. Vogler-Ludwig, N. Düll, B. Kriechel, Arbeitsmarkt 2030 - Wirtschaft und Arbeitsmarkt im digitalen Zeitalter: Prognose 2016, W. Bertelsmann Verlag, 2016.
  2. M. Delogu, R. Lagravinese, D. Paolini, G. Resce, Econ. Model., 2024, 130.
  3. OECD, 2019. Education at a Glance 2015: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing, Paris, 2015.
  4. M. Bratti, D. Checchi, G. de Blasio, LABOUR, 2008, 22, 53.
  5. P. Brunori, V. Peragine, L. Serlenga, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, Working Papers, 2010, 31
  6. V. Oppedisan, Econ. of Educ. Rev., 2011, 30, 5.
  7. M. S. Larsen, K. P. Kornbeck, R. Kristensen, M. R. Larsen, H. B. Sommersel, Danish Clearinghouse for educational research, Clearinghouse-forskningsserien, 2013, 15.
  8. A. Sarcletti, S. Müller, Zeitschrift für Bildungsforschung, 2011, 1, 235.
  9. J. E. Ormond, Educational Psychology: Developing Learners (Fourth Ed.), Merrill Prentice Hall, 2003.
  10. E. L. Deci, R. M. Ryan, Handbook of self-determination research, University of Rochester Press, 2002.
  11. E. L. Deci, R. M. Ryan, Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior, Plenum Press, New York, 1985.
  12. A. Bandura, Self-efficacy mechanism in physiological activation and health-promoting behavior, in Neurobiology of Learning, Emotion and Affect, (Ed. J. Madden IV), Raven, New York, 1991, pp. 229–269.
  13. M. Hagger, N. Chatzisarantis, Brit. J. Soc. Psych., 2005, 44, 513.
  14. S. N. Sweet, M. S. Fortier, S. M. Strachan, C. M. Blanchard, Can. Psych., 2012, 53, 319.
  15. J. DeWitt, L. Archer, Int. J. Sci. Educ., 2015, 37, 2170.
  16. V. Sawtelle, E. Brewe, L. H. Kramer, J. Res. in Sci. Teach., 2012, 49, 1096.
  17. K.M. Stokking, Int. J. of Sc. Ed., 2000, 22, 1261.
  18. D. H. Schunk, P. R. Pintrich, J. L. Meece, Motivation in education. Theory, research and application., Upper Saddle River, Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall, 2010.
  19. P. J. Burke, J. E. Stets. Identity theory, Oxford University Press, 2009.
  20. J. Gee, Rev. of Res. in Educ., 2000, 25, 99.
  21. A. Y. Kim, G. M. Sinatra, V. Seyranian, Rev. of Res. in Educ., 2018, 88, 589.
  22. Z. Hazari, G. Sonnert, P. M. Sadler, M.-C. Shanahan, J. Res in Sci. Teach., 2010, 47, 978.
  23. S. Liu, S. Xu, Q. Li, H. Xiao, S. Zhou, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 2023,19, 010138.
  24. Y. Cha, Gen. & Soc., 2013,27, 158.
  25. T. Koballa, F. Crawley, Sc. Sc and Math., 1985, 85, 222.
  26. P. Barmby, P. M. Kind, K. Jones, Int. J. Sci. Educ., 2008, 30, 1075.
  27. T. R. Koballa, S. M. Glynn, Attitudinal and Motivational Constructs in Science Learning, in Handbook of Research on Science Education, (Eds. S. Abell, & N. Lederman), Mahwah, LEA Publishers, 2007, pp. 75-102.
  28. P. P. Potvin, A. Hasni, Studies in Sci. Educ., 2014, 50, 85.
  29. P. Kousa, R. Kavonius, M. Aksela, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., 2018, 19, 431.
  30. S. Zappoli, M. Milano, CnS – Chimica nella Scuola, 2024, 5, 13.