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Motivational Strategies of University Students in New Zealand: The Role of Ethnicity

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Abstract

This study explores motivational strategies of university student from five different main ethnic groups in New Zealand (NZ). To explore students’ motivational strategies, a self-administered questionnaire was adapted. The study sample included 1854 students from a NZ university who participated in the survey. The findings showed that there were significant differences in the motivational strategies of Pasifika, Asian, and pākeha (NZ European) students. For instance, Pasifika and Asian students were more inclined to be motivated by extrinsic factors, such as the desire to satisfy familial expectations, than Māori or pākeha students. We argue that tertiary institutions should be aware of these complex ethnic dimensions to student motivation and learning, and promote relevant professional training concerning the differences between ethnic groups.

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Notes

  1. The indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.

  2. People whose ancestors are from Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian islands of the Pacific Ocean.

  3. The percentages do not add up to 100 % as people could report more than one ethnic group as their ethnicity (e.g. Māori/Pasifika).

  4. In this study, non-NZ Europeans considered as an ethnic group and not merged with NZ Europeans because their cultural background is different from pākeha who have been raised and educated in New Zealand.

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Acknowledgements

This research is funded by the Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) and the Office of Pro Vice-Chancellor of Science, Engineering, and Architecture and Design faculties of Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), New Zealand. We would like to thank Gail Ah-Hi, Executive Officer to the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) of VUW, and Dr Mehdi Jabbari Nooghabi for their support for this Research Project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mathematics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Farzad Radmehr

  2. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, John Overton & Leon Bakker

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  1. Farzad Radmehr
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Correspondence to Farzad Radmehr.

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Radmehr, F., Laban, H.L.W., Overton, J. et al. Motivational Strategies of University Students in New Zealand: The Role of Ethnicity. Asia-Pacific Edu Res 27, 245–255 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-018-0383-4

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