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Structural Dimensions and Scale Development of Research Motivation among Master's Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences

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Title: Structural Dimensions and Scale Development of Research Motivation among Master's Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Language: English
Authors: Xiaobin Ren
Source: Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education. 2026 17(2):144-164.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Graduate Students, Masters Programs, Humanities, Social Science Research, Social Sciences, Student Motivation, Learning Motivation, Student Attitudes, Student Experience, Test Construction, Measures (Individuals), Content Validity, Test Reliability
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1108/SGPE-05-2024-0048
ISSN: 2398-4686
Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to delve into the multidimensional structure of research motivation among master's students in the humanities and social sciences and to develop an accurate tool for measuring their motivational levels. Design/methodology/approach: This study used semistructured in-depth interviews with 21 master's students from the humanities and social sciences. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify key dimensions of research motivation. An initial questionnaire with 24 items was developed based on the findings, which was then revised by experts and master's students. The modified questionnaire was validated among 283 master's students in Chinese universities. Further validation was conducted with 319 samples to assess reliability and model fit. Findings: This study identified five key dimensions of research motivation: subjective norms, self-realization, emotional interest, social interaction and cognitive value. These dimensions were used to construct a research motivation model. The final validated questionnaire, containing 21 items, demonstrated good reliability and model fit, making it a robust tool for assessing research motivation in this specific group. Originality/value: This study contributes to developing a tailored measurement tool of research motivation specifically for master's students in the humanities and social sciences. It provides valuable insights for graduate education stakeholders, including educators, advisors and graduate management departments, by offering a deeper understanding of the motivational factors driving students' research engagement and academic development.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507536
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Structural Dimensions and Scale Development of Research Motivation among Master's Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xiaobin+Ren%22">Xiaobin Ren</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Studies+in+Graduate+and+Postdoctoral+Education%22"><i>Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 17(2):144-164.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masters+Programs%22">Masters Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Humanities%22">Humanities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Science+Research%22">Social Science Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Sciences%22">Social Sciences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Motivation%22">Learning Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Construction%22">Test Construction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Measures+%28Individuals%29%22">Measures (Individuals)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Content+Validity%22">Content Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Reliability%22">Test Reliability</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/SGPE-05-2024-0048
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2398-4686
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This study aims to delve into the multidimensional structure of research motivation among master's students in the humanities and social sciences and to develop an accurate tool for measuring their motivational levels. Design/methodology/approach: This study used semistructured in-depth interviews with 21 master's students from the humanities and social sciences. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify key dimensions of research motivation. An initial questionnaire with 24 items was developed based on the findings, which was then revised by experts and master's students. The modified questionnaire was validated among 283 master's students in Chinese universities. Further validation was conducted with 319 samples to assess reliability and model fit. Findings: This study identified five key dimensions of research motivation: subjective norms, self-realization, emotional interest, social interaction and cognitive value. These dimensions were used to construct a research motivation model. The final validated questionnaire, containing 21 items, demonstrated good reliability and model fit, making it a robust tool for assessing research motivation in this specific group. Originality/value: This study contributes to developing a tailored measurement tool of research motivation specifically for master's students in the humanities and social sciences. It provides valuable insights for graduate education stakeholders, including educators, advisors and graduate management departments, by offering a deeper understanding of the motivational factors driving students' research engagement and academic development.
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      – Text: English
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        StartPage: 144
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Masters Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Humanities
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      – SubjectFull: Social Science Research
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      – SubjectFull: Social Sciences
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      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Motivation
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
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      – SubjectFull: Test Construction
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      – SubjectFull: China
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      – TitleFull: Structural Dimensions and Scale Development of Research Motivation among Master's Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences
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