‘Laying the foundation for a PhD study”
Students’ motivation for writing a master’s thesis in Hong Kong
Dados Bibliográficos
| ID | 21458665 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Madhu Neupane Bastola (0000-0001-8720-1726, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, autor correspondente), G Hu (0000-0002-2297-4784, Hong Kong Polytechnic University) |
| Ano | 2026 |
| Volume | 48 |
| Fascículo | 2 |
| Páginas | 128-148 |
| Data de publicação | 2026-05-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sim |
| Open Access | Sim |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Periódico | Studies in Continuing Education (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores do periódico | ISSN: 0158-037X • E-ISSN: 1470-126X |
| Editora | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0158037x.2024.2440324 |
| OpenAlex | W4405333837 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Referências citadas | 53 |
Informed by self-determination theory, this study investigates the motivations behind students’ voluntary pursuit of a master’s thesis and the crucial role of supervisory support in their academic journey. The study also explores the impact of writing a master’s thesis on their growth and well-being. Data were collected through interviews with 20 students from diverse disciplines in government-funded universities in Hong Kong. The interviews centred on critical themes such as students’ motivations, expectations, feedback practices, supervisor-student relationships, challenges, and engagement levels. Thematic analysis revealed that the students were primarily driven by well-internalised and autonomous extrinsic motivations to write a master’s thesis, with the aim of laying the foundation for a future PhD and achieving personal and professional development goals. The interaction between these motivations and the supervisory support, particularly in meeting students’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, significantly contributed to their academic, professional, and personal growth and well-being. The implications of these findings for supporting students’ engagement and development are discussed
Autonomy · Management · Pedagogy · Personal development · Political science · Professional development · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Supervisor · Thematic analysis · Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology
Self-Determination Theory
Fostering a Need-Supportive Teaching Style
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective
Early-stage doctoral students’ conceptions of research in higher education
From the other side of the desk
Using self-determination theory (SDT) to explain student STEM interest and identity development
Concept of research among master’s students in Hong Kong
Support for Different Roles in Software Engineering Master's Thesis Projects
Master’s thesis projects
Supervisory feedback across disciplines
The Master's Thesis
My Cross-Border PhD Journey”
Being like a researcher”
Ensuring timely completion and successful thesis outcomes
The Master’s Thesis as Creative Enterprise
The Me-this, Redeemed
The Voice from the Shelf
Using thematic analysis in psychology
The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits
The effects of choice on intrinsic motivation and related outcomes
Master's Thesis Writing from a Narrative Approach
Nothing but publishing
The activity of student research
Coursework master's programmes
Mastering the dissertation
Learning experience and academic identity building by master's students in Hong Kong
| Velocidade de citação | historical |
|---|---|
| Altamente citado | Não |