A Mixed-Methods Study of Students' Motivation and Engagement Profiles in Middle School Science

• In Event: Pre-K–8–Focused Science Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how a mixed method approach to students’ latent profile analysis is beneficial for researchers and teachers. Quantitative research was conducted to produce five student profile groups centered around the motivation and engagement factors of self-efficacy, goal orientation, and affective, behavioral, cognitive, and social engagement. Qualitative data collection and analysis provided more depth of knowledge around how those factors manifest in individual students. Taken together, we call for a wide range of differentiated practices by teachers to motivate and engage all learners. Additionally, researchers can benefit from using a mixed methods approach to latent profile analysis because of the rich, more individualized data it provides.

Authors

• Lauren Cabrera, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Christine Lee Bae, Virginia Commonwealth University