Validity of the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To assess the construct validity and reliability of the motivation section of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was conducted. The MSQL has essentially two sections: a motivation section and a learning strategies section. The motivation section, which consists of 31 items, was used. A total of 146 medical students who were all male completed the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the hypothesised factor structure, and to identify the validity and reliability of the motivation section of the MSQL. RESULTS: A selected group of fit statistics showed that the hypothesised model did not fit the sample data fairly well. The Intrinsic Goal Orientation subscale consisted of 4 items (α = 0.75), the Extrinsic Goal Orientation subscale consisted of 4 items (α = 0.78), the Task Value subscale consisted of 6 items (α =0.86), the Control of Learning Beliefs consisted of 4 items (α =0.78), the Self-Efficacy for Learning and Performance consisted of 8 items (α =0.89), and the Test Anxiety consisted of 5 items (α =0.77). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the hypothesised model did not fit the data well. This may suggest that the motivation section of the MSQL may not work for Saudi Arabian students. However, this could be due to the fact that the sample data available on this study did not represent female students. Further work is required to establish this. Limitations of the study are discussed.