Research questions
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship
between ACT scores, motivation, self-efficacy, and final grades in remedial
math at a mid-sized community college in southwest Missouri.
1. What is
the relationship between ACT scores and final grades in remedial math at a
mid-sized community college in southwest Missouri?
2. What is
the relationship between motivation and final grades in remedial math at a mid-sized
community college in southwest Missouri?
3. What is
the relationship between self-efficacy and final grades in remedial math at a
mid-sized community college in southwest Missouri?
The dependent variable is the final grades obtained by
students in a remedial math class.
My independent variables are the students ACT scores, their
motivation scores, and their self-efficacy scores.
Conceptual definitions
Conceptual definition for motivation – “one may choose to do
something because one wants to do it,
or because one is supposed to do it.”
(George, Michael. Autonomy and Motivation in Remedial Mathematics. p. 257)
Operational Definition for motivation - Motivational scores will come from Achievement Motivation Inventory.
Conceptual
definition for self-efficacy – “If individuals feel like a
failure, self conscious or humiliated because of placement in remedial
coursework, dropping out may become their best solution. Perceptions of self-efficacy may
very negatively impact remediation strategies.” (Kilian, Nancy. Self-efficacy
and remediation of higher education mathematics students. 2009.)
Operational Definition for self-efficacy - Self-Efficacy scores will come from Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale.
**** Conceptual definition of remedial math “students lacking those skills necessary to perform college-level
work at the level required by the institution,” (Kilian, Nancy. Self-efficacy
and remediation of higher education mathematics students. 2009.) (Not sure if I need this)
Operational definition ACT scores - ACT Scores will come from ACT Test Battery of the American College Testing Program.
Question: How do you assign a conceptual definition to
final grades and ACT scores?
