Comparisons of the motivational sources of high school business students

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the motivational sources of students based on gender, course nature, and grade level. The respondents include a sample of the students in the Business Department at Bearden High School (Knoxville, TN) during the last nine weeks of the spring semester of 2001. Keyboarding classes during the first nine weeks were not included in the sample. Each respondent reported on his or her motivational sources using the survey instrument developed by the researcher. Major findings of the study were (a) that the respondents had an optimal combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivational sources, which the teacher can foster and build upon within instruction and (b) difference in motivational sources was most pronounced between freshmen and seniors. Teachers who have a combination of these grade levels in the classroom should recognize and accommodate them within business courses.