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THE STUDY OF PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE ACADEMIC MOTIVATION SCALE IN HIGH STAKE TESTING CONTEXT // Pedagogical Review. 2019. Issue 5 (27). P. 207-220

The Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) was developed by T. Gordeeva et al. (2014) on the basis of self-determination theory of E. Deci and R. Ryan and found quite wide application in exploratory researches of factors influencing the academic behavior of students in Russia. However its psychometric characteristics in high stake testing conditions have not yet been published. To fill this gap, we additionally included this measure of self-reporting in the context of psychological examination of students in order to determine their suitability for military training (with a selection coefficient of less than 0.5). Respondents (N = 345; age = 19.65 ± 0.45) were not informed that scores obtained from this device will not be considered at making decision on their suitability. We estimated the reliability of scale scores by calculation of Cronbach’s alpha and average inter-item correlations; internal structure of a questionnaire – by means of the exploratory factor analysis of items and scales, and external validity – by calculation of the multitrait-multimethod correlation matrix including measures of personality traits, personal values and the general cognitive ability. The data obtained indicate that the structure of the questionnaire proposed by the authors and high reliability of its scale scores are warranted. The main part of hypotheses concerning their convergent correlations is also confirmed. When studying the relationship of AMS scales and external psychological constructs, we found a number of worthy additive convergent correlations that have not yet been described in the well-known literature. We came to conclusion that the AMS possesses acceptable psychometric characteristics and is suitable for high stake testing of graduates.

Keywords: academic motivation, psychometric properties, reliability, construct validity, self-determination theory, personal values, personality traits