Content and origin of the test

Motivation is measured using the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) (Ryan & Connell, 1989), a modified version of which was developed and validated in Dutch (Vansteenkiste et al., 2009).

This study motivation test aims to screen study motivation and to provide feedback. The goal is to encourage you to reflect. The screening comprises 20 items concerning motivation: 4 items on demotivation, 8 items on controlled motivation and 8 items on autonomous motivation. The items were selected from the validated instrument (Ryan & Connell, 1989; Vansteenkiste et al., 2009).

The test, with feedback reports for MoodSpace, was developed by researchers at Ghent University (Nele Flamant, Joachim Waterschoot, Maarten Vansteenkiste, Bart Soenens), and at the Support Centre Inclusive Higher Education (Valérie Van Hees).

Ryan, R. M., & Connell, J. P. (1989). Perceived locus of causality and internalization: Examining reasons for acting in two domains. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 749–761.

Vansteenkiste, M., Sierens, E., Soenens, B., Luyckx, K., & Lens, W. (2009). Motivational profiles from a self-determination perspective: The quality of motivation matters. Journal of Educational Psychology, 101, 671-688.

Feedback report

Based on your answers, a feedback report will appear with a brief synthesis and advice on your study motivation. The advice you receive is not a diagnosis, but just an indication of your study motivation. It is a snapshot that does not take into account specific circumstances or personal variables such as age or gender. The goal is to encourage you to reflect. Of course, this test does not provide an assessment about the future.

Data processing

The test is strictly anonymous. At no point are you asked for identity-related data, unless you wish to download the report. For statistical purposes, however, your age, gender and type of education are asked. But those answers can never be traced back to specific individuals.

Policy reporting and scientific research

The anonymous data collected is used at the group level for policy advice and scientific research. Every year, the Support Centre Inclusive Higher Education (SIHO) reports to the Flemish government on how many students use the self-test and what the overall results are. These results also allow further optimisation of the self-test and the feedback report, as well as the overall help offering on MoodSpace. The evaluation of the self-test and the scientific processing of the results are done in collaboration with Maarten Vansteenkiste (Professor of Motivational Psychology at Ghent University and principal investigator of MoodSpace) and his team.

Copyright

For this test – as for the entire site – the texts, layout, images, scripts and other items are under copyright protection. Motivation is measured using the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) (Ryan & Connell, 1989), a modified version of which was developed and validated in Dutch (Vansteenkiste et al., 2009). The implementation in MoodSpace is the property of Ghent University and the Support Centre Inclusive Higher Education. Copies, adaptations, translations, edits, modifications of all or part of this site, in any form or by any means, are strictly prohibited unless prior written permission is granted by the site owner: Support Centre Inclusive Higher Education, Hoogpoort 15, B-9000 Ghent. Any infringement may result in civil or criminal prosecution.