The effective ways to increase students’ interest in study and research in elementary schools

The present study sought to offer effective ways for increasing students interest in studying and researching among grades four and five elementary school students. The research population were students, teachers and principals of grades four and five who are studying and working in Karaj county schools affiliated with district four of the State Office of Education during the educational year 1389-1390 (2010-2011). After the initial sampling by using Morgan’s table, 922 individuals were recruited (students= 736, teachers= 128, and principals= 128). They were collected via random-clustered sampling. Three kinds of questionnaire were utilized for data collection: students’ package, teachers’ package, and principals’ package. The analyses revealed that there is a significant correlation between the degree of interest in study and research on one hand and attending school libraries on the other. Also, the correlation between the number of school hours related to studying and researching, and encouraging students is meaningful. There is also a significant correlation between variables like holding scientific-cultural competitions and commending students for top performances with students’ motivation to study and do research. Therefore, recognizing the effective ways of encouraging students to study and research can be one of the important factors in their educational advancement in elementary schools.