EXPLORING STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION IN WRITING RESEARCH PROPOSAL: A CASE STUDY OF MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS AT AN ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN PEKANBARU

This qualitative study, employing a case study design, explores the motivation of male and female students in writing research proposals at an Islamic university in Pekanbaru. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews with six purposively selected participants. The findings reveal that students demonstrate diverse motivational orientations, encompassing intrinsic motivation such as curiosity, involvement, emotional regulation, and personal interest as well as extrinsic motivation, including academic grades, competition, praise, family support, and the desire to graduate on time. Male students tend to be more strongly influenced by intrinsic motivation, whereas female students exhibit a more balanced combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. In addition, lecturer support, peer encouragement, and academic demands contribute to shaping the dynamics of students’ motivation. These findings indicate that motivation in research proposal writing is multidimensional, gender-sensitive, and influenced by cognitive, emotional, and social factors. Based on these result, the study recommends that lecturers, supervisors, and institutions provide clear guidelines, supportive learning environments, and instructional strategies that enhance students’ intrinsic engagement while reducing external barriers in the process of proposal writing.