INTERRATER RELIABILITY OF THE MOTIVATION ASSESSMENT SCALE - ANOTHER, CLOSER LOOK

Recent evidence indicates that the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS), designed by Durand and Crimmins (1988) to measure influential maintain ing variables of maladaptive behavior, is associated with inadequate i nterrater reliability. In this study, interrater reliability of the MA S was reinvestigated utilizing direct-care staff members familiar with persons with mental retardation. Problematic overt behaviors were eva luated in 42 adults in southern Nevada. MAS items were found to be rel iable moderately but significantly across raters. Variables that affec t reliability, including low or high behavior frequency, differential training procedures for raters, and setting selection should be consid ered closely by MAS administrators.