A Study of Motivation to Study at The Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University

Abstract

This research investigates the factors affecting motivation to study at the Faculty of
Science, Mahasarakham University. The participants were the frst-year students in the Faculty
of Science, Mahasarakham University, comprising 537 students in the academic year of
2019, and 171 students in the academic year of 2020. The research instrument used was
a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data including frequency,
percentage, mean, and standard deviation.
The results showed that the four main factors affecting students’ motivation were as
follows. - 1) faculty members have recognized competence and specifc expertise, 2) interest
in the feld of study offered, 3) the need to study at a famous university in the Isan region,
4) the atmosphere and environment within the Faculty. In addition, it was found that there the
top six provinces where students chose to study at a Faulty of Science were Maha Sarakham
province. Khon Kaen province, Roi Et province, Kalasin province, Udon Thani province, and
Nakhon Ratchasima province. From the data obtained, it was revealed that the key factors for
providing educational guidance to educational institutions in the target provinces mentioned
were; to promote a modern curriculum, faculty members’ expertise, the university reputation,
and pleasant atmosphere.