University-Wide Relevance Appraisals: A Mixed-Methods Examination

• In Event: 73.062 - Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: 73.062-4 - Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 1

Abstract

The current paper is a response to the recent AERA symposium on conceptualizing relevance. This mixed-methods research examines students’ open-ended reports of relevance and demonstrates that, consistent with expectancy-value and appraisal theories, relevance is conceptually distinct from utility value. Differences in relevance appraisals across a large, multidisciplinary sample of university students illustrate that general education requirements are commonly appraised as irrelevant, whereas major requirements are considered relevant. The researcher then focuses specifically on students’ relevance appraisals in STEM courses in comparison to non-STEM coursework and shows that relevance appraisals help account for differences in situational interest and performance among STEM majors.

Authors

• Jeffrey R Albrecht, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Stuart A. Karabenick, University of Michigan