The Geographical Thinking Skills and Motivation of the Students in the Departments of Geography in Turkey

The study aimed to investigate the geographical thinking skills and motivation of the students in geography departments in Turkey in learning Geography. The study utilized survey method based on a quantitative research design. The participants of the study were selected using the convenience sampling method, and consisted of 500 students from different universities in Turkey, namely; Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University, Pamukkale University, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University. The data were collected via "The Geographical Thinking Skills Scale" developed by Balciogullari (2011), and "The Motivation Scale in Learning Geography developed by Kaya (2013). The data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods. The results revealed that a) participants' gender had a significant role in their geographical thinking skills and motivation in geography learning except for the performance sub-dimension of motivation; b) mother's and father's education level didn't make a significant difference except for geographical questions so that it had a role in seeking information; c) mother's and father's education level did not make a significant difference except for self-confidence so that it had a role in the cognitive dimensions of motivation; d) income did not affect geographical thinking skills and motivation except for performance; e) all demographic variables in this study approximately had equal importance for the analysis when comparing to each other in geographical thinking skills; f) father's education level and gender had an important role comparing to other demographic variables in motivation in learning geography; and d) the interest-field had a casual and significant role in seeking geographical knowledge.