This comparative study was conducted to explore achievement motivation and learning approaches of agricultural students and to examine students’ views on educational factors influencing their achievement motivation and learning approaches. The statistical population of this study comprised agricultural students of Tehran University (Tehran, Iran) and Ghent University (Belgium). A sample of 89 agricultural students from Tehran University and 85 agricultural students from Ghent University participated in this study, using the random sampling method. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on respondents’ demographic characteristics, viewpoints on educational factors, achievement motivation, and learning approaches of respondents. Validity and reliability coefficient of the instrument were determined through opinions of professors and application of coefficient alpha (more than 0.8 for different parts). Based on the results, there was no significant difference between the two groups (Iranian and Flemish students) on intrinsic motivation, while the two groups showed significant difference on extrinsic motivation. There were, also, differences between the two groups of students regarding deep approach to learning. This study implied that both similarities and differences can be observed on the factors influencing achievement motivation and learning approaches of agricultural students in different learning contexts. Based on the findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were put forth. Manuscript profile

The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend of scientific articles in the field of agricultural education. The statistical population of the study consisted of all agricultural education articles published in three scientific journals from the years 2013 to 2017 (N = 198). SPSS and EXCEL software used to analyze the data. The findings showed that the journals upgraded during the studied years, which indicated improvement of the journals. In terms of publication the agricultural education article versus other fields of study, the results indicated that the articles, with the exception of growth in the year 2015, had a decreasing trend. Articles with three authors had the most frequency. According to the findings: The most used software was SPSS, the most used method was quantitative research, the most tool for collecting data was questionnaire, and the most source for gathering data was student. Also, the most relevant subject was quality of education, teaching and learning. Finally, based on the findings, it is recommended that the needs of labor market, industry and society be considered for conducting applied and developmental researches. Manuscript profile