Motivation is Important. . . . What Now? Examining Faculty Perceptions of Research Motivation and Productivity Interventions

• In Event: Impacts of Faculty Development

Abstract

Motivation has been demonstrated as fundamental to university faculty members’ research productivity; however, interventions to increase motivation and in turn productivity have not been tested for viability. This study assessed faculty beliefs that their research motivation can improve, their intentions to change, perceptions of typical interventions, and how their current motivation and success relates to change intentions. A survey of 580 USA STEM faculty revealed many believe their research motivation and productivity can improve and are working to do so (38%)—typically faculty who are autonomous motivated and successful already. Alternatively, many faculty reported room for improvement but are not making attempts at change (16%)—some poorly motivated and unsuccessful, and others were highly successful. Results inform designing faculty interventions.

Authors

• Robert H. Stupnisky, University of North Dakota

• Muhammad Salahuddin, University of North Dakota

• Nathan C. Hall, Government of Canada