Mathematics Motivation Scale: A Validity and Reliability

Abstract

Researches related to motivation and mathematics achievement indicate that academic intrinsic math motivation is related to mathematics achievement (Yildirim, 2011; Gottfried et al., 2007). For this reason there is need for a scale to measure the motivation related to mathematics achievement. During the scale carrying out process, less-known but more effective validated procedures are used. The aim of this study is carrying out a reliability and validity study for a scale which assess the motivation related to mathematics achievement. In this research, the scale is applied to 6th, 7th, 8th grade students, the data obtained is analyzed for the validity and reliability studies of the scale. However the most frequently used statistical methods are eigenvalues-greater-than-one-rule and scree plot, Velicer's Map Test (1986) and Parallel analysis are used as less-known validated procedures in structural validation studies (OConnor, 2000). In addition to those less-known validation procedures, confirmatory factor analysis is used to compare the results of validation procedures. Results show that the reliability of this scale is satisfying. Moreover, the findings of confirmatory factor analysis are similar to the findings of less-known validation procedures determined below. As a result of this research the validity and reliability value of the scale are provided. Findings show that the less-known validation procedures give stronger statistical results than the popular analyses procedures given below. That's why those validation procedures should be used for the development of this kind of scales. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin Uzunboylu