Research Studies in Music Education 1–20 © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1321103X15600914 rsm.sagepub.com Motivation to study music in Australian schools: The impact of music learning, gender, and socio-economic status Gary E. McPherson The University of Melbourne, Australia Margaret S. Osborne The University of Melbourne, Australia Margaret S. Barrett The University of Queensland, Australia Jane W. Davidson The University of Melbourne, Australia Robert Faulkner The University of Western Australia, Australia Abstract This study extends an eight-country mapping exercise (McPherson & O’Neill, 2010; see Research Studies in Music Education issues 2010–2011) to include students’ motivation to study music within the Australian context. It sought to determine whether music learners (students learning an instrument or voice), might be more motivated to study academic subjects at school, and whether gender and socio- economic status (SES) affected student motivation to learn music at school. A total of 2,727 students from grades 5 to 12 completed a questionnaire based on Eccles and Wigfield’s expectancy-value framework. Data collected included: ratings of competence beliefs, interest, importance, usefulness and difficulty for music, English, maths, and science; indications of whether the students were currently learning a musical instrument or voice (music learners); and whether they would like to if given the opportunity. There was an overall significant decline in competence beliefs, interest, importance, and usefulness across the school years, in contrast with increased task difficulty ratings across the school years. Music learners reported Corresponding author: Margaret Osborne, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Email: mosborne@unimelb.edu.au 600914RSM 0 0 10.1177/1321103X15600914Research Studies in Music EducationMcPherson et al. research-article 2015 Article by guest on September 9, 2015 rsm.sagepub.com Downloaded from