Academic journals are valuable sources of scholarly information. Although journal articles are sometimes used to assist medical education, it is uncertain whether journal articles related to lecture content increase students' learning motivation. In the present study, we found that learning activities supported by lecture-related journal articles enhanced student motivation towards learning of biomedical sciences, as indicated by higher self-efficacy and achievement goal, along with better science learning value and active learning strategies. As learning motivation is positively related to academic performance, this study provides the basis for further investigation on the motivational mechanisms by which journal-based learning influences academic performance.