No abstract

This study, conducted with 184 first-year Belgian psychology students, examines the relations between motivational variables and achievement behaviours. A multiple-goal perspective with approach and avoidance dimensions was considered. Correlational, stepwise multiple regressions and MANOVA were performed. Results from the regressions indicate: (1) a direct effect of motivational variables on self-regulated learning strategies, and a direct effect of selfregulated learning strategies on performance, but no direct influence of motivational variables on performance; and (2) a direct influence of value and learning-approach goal orientation on choice. Results from the first multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with task value and self-efficacy as independent variables only show a main effect of task value on all learning strategies and behavioural outcomes. Results from the second MANOVA assert the positive effect of the endorsement of multiple goals on deep-learning strategies and choice.

The issue of considerable dropout rate in doctoral programs is well documented across a large number of countries. However, few studies address the factors associated with doctoral completion among Non-U.S. countries, multiple universities and fields of research. Nor do they investigate the interactions between these factors. The present paper aimed to overcome these limitations and analyzed the population of doctoral students in all disciplines of the two largest universities of the French-speaking Community of Belgium (N = 1509). Specifically, we focused on several factors: gender, nationality, marital status, master grade, whether students continued at the same university when transitioning to the doctoral degree, whether they continued in the same field, age at registration, research field and funding (i.e., type of funding and associated job requirements). Findings indicate that four factors (marital status, master grade, research field and funding) are directly associated with dropout rate when all factors are considered jointly in the same model. Furthermore, results indicate that some of these factors, such as the marital status and gender, interact. In addition, we found that an accumulation of risk factors leads to a massive increase in dropout rates. Finally, a time course analysis revealed that the highest dropout rate occurs during the first two years and is related to the absence of funding or scholarship. The results, limits and futures perspectives are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract