The relationship between student motivation and academic performance: the mediating role of online learning behavior
Quality Assurance in Education
ISSN: 0968-4883
Article publication date: 13 May 2022
Issue publication date: 10 January 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to use a quantitative approach to explore the role of online learning behavior in students’ academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the authors probe its mediating effect in the relationship between student motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic) and academic performance in a blended learning context.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from 148 students taking an organizational behavior course at one Chinese university. The data were paired and analyzed through regression analysis.
Findings
The results show that students should actively engage in online learning behavior to maximize the effects of blended learning. Extrinsic motivation was found to positively influence academic performance both directly and indirectly through online learning behavior, while intrinsic motivation affected academic performance only indirectly.
Originality/value
Through paired data on extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, online learning behavior and academic performance, this study provides a more nuanced understanding of how online learning behavior affects the focal relationship, and it advances research on the mechanisms underlying the focal relationship. Practitioners should enhance students’ online learning behavior to boost blended learning effects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by Research Project on Comprehensive Education and Teaching Reform of Sino Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools in Henan University of Technology (GJXY202117), Research Project on Education and Teaching Reform of School of Management of Henan University of Technology (GLXY2021YB02) and Education Research Fund of North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power.
Citation
Meng, X. and Hu, Z. (2023), "The relationship between student motivation and academic performance: the mediating role of online learning behavior", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 167-180. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-02-2022-0046
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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