THE MOTIVATION ASSESSMENT SCALE - RELIABILITY AND CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY ACROSS 3 TOPOGRAPHIES OF BEHAVIOR

The psychometric properties of rile Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) were examined Specifically, reliability internal consistency, and cons truct validity were estimated using 90 ratings of different problem be haviors among 86 individuals with mental retardation. Data were analyz ed under conditions of (a) three topographies of problem behavior and (b) two methods of calculation. Although reliability and internal cons istency were generally poor; the results depended upon the above condi tions. Factor analysis revealed that rite four factors of the MAS diff ered from the subscale structure obtained in this study, proposed by t he authors of the MAS. Thus, the construct validity of this scale was ambiguous. Ir is concluded that the MAS should be employed in conjunct ion with other instruments to assess the functional characteristics of problem behavior with individuals who have mental retardation. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd.