I personally became interested in research out of curiosity/naturally. I have usually been observant, quiet and can identify patterns in peoples behaviors/talks fairly easily. With age, I think I just began to "notice" the things somebody says or does; make associations between past behavior and current actions etc.

I wasn't ever taught how to think in this way - I have almost always genuinely been "interested" in knowing "why" and "how". After an MSc, and Doctorate was the only way to go for me!

In my experience, majority of the students' motivation depends upon better job prospects after completion of postgraduate degree. Usually the students' first priority is to complete the postgraduate degree (M.Sc./PhD) as quickly as possible rather than achieving research excellence. So, they try to find a supervisor who can help them to achieve this. The area of research project, research excellence and availability of scholarship etc. take second priority.

The potential of high-impact research and contribution what my son is interested in. Usually, the opportunity of being the best in something in the entire world, being a rock star or gold medalist in the Olimpia is lovely for young people. Intellectual is valued the highest today, so it is not a miracle that being the best scientist is the coolest among all. We all wanted to save the Earth, do something more significant than anybody before. At an early age, we do not care risk or probabilities; we believe in our infinite capabilities and infinite opportunities.

The curiosity and the area of interest are also important.

There can be many reasons why a young researcher wants to get a research done. Some of them can be his area of interest to know more deeply about that particular topic or to know more about that economy. Second can be assignment provided by the university to complete to grab marks so to get That marks people research. Even to get a higher position or get promoted in their particular field. Through my point of view there could be thousands of reasons for a researcher to find a answer to their topic and some of them can be this.

I think the issue of motivation is psychological and different according to people and sites.

But in the scientific research, the first thing is the field of research, then comes the aim of the research and its importance and results for research and researcher.