Dissertation
Self-Regulation in Action: Profiles and Processes of Learning Among Undergraduates in STEM
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2026
Abstract
Success in undergraduate STEM education requires students to regulate their learning in the face of cognitively demanding coursework. Although self-regulated learning (SRL) has been widely studied, less is known about how regulatory and motivational characteristics co-occur within students and how those patterns shape self-assessment practices. This dissertation examined profiles and processes of learning among undergraduates in STEM. Study One used latent profile analysis to identify patterns of self-regulated learning, academic motivation, and academic self-efficacy. Two profiles emerged: a High SRL-Motivation profile and a Low SRL-Motivation profile. Students in the High SRL-Motivation profile reported significantly higher grade point averages than those in the Low SRL-Motivation profile, suggesting meaningful associations between regulatory patterns and academic performance. Study Two used semi-structured interviews to explore how students in these profiles engaged in formative and summative self-assessment. Students in the High SRL-Motivation profile described ongoing, process-oriented self-assessment, whereas students in the Low SRL-Motivation profile relied more heavily on outcome-based verification and external indicators of performance. Together, these findings suggest that self-regulation in STEM reflects broader patterns of motivational and evaluative processes and highlight implications for supporting students navigating demanding academic contexts.
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Details
- Title
- Self-Regulation in Action: Profiles and Processes of Learning Among Undergraduates in STEM
- Creators
- Morgan A. Jernigan
- Contributors
- Kira J. Carbonneau (Advisor)Chad Gotch (Committee Member)Shenghai Dai (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Kinesiology and Educational Psychology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 119
- Identifiers
- 99901393403001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation