Measuring Elementary Student Mathematics Motivation: A Validity Study of the Orosco Math Motivation Survey

• In Event: Roundtable Session 45
  In Roundtable Session: Mathematics and Motivation

Abstract

Currently, there is a lack of capable measures for both practitioners and researchers to utilize in identifying motivational deficits related to mathematics for young children. As a result, the 10-item Orosco Math Motivation Survey (OMMS) was developed and piloted on 182 2nd and 3rd grade students. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the measure by: 1) inspecting item-level Classical Test Theory statistics; 2) conducting dimensionality analyses; 3) estimating item parameters via Item Response Theory; and 4) investigating differential item functioning for gender. Results demonstrated that the OMMS is a reliable, valid, and highly discriminating measure of math motivation that may be particularly well-suited to aid in identifying elementary students with low math motivation.

Authors

• Joseph A. Rios, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Patina Lynn Bachman, University of California - Riverside

• Michael John Orosco, University of Kansas