Standardized tests play an important role in providing interested parties with information concerning student achievement and growth. When test results are analyzed, score interpretations are often questioned on several fronts: it is possible that a lack of motivation to perform well on these tests may produce scores that are spuriously low. When performances are lower than expected, many stakeholders, generally relying on anecdotal evidence, insist that these low results are due to lack achievement level, or is the observed performance an accurate indication of achievement? In either case, the lack of validity information quiets the conversation and perhaps stifles needed reform. Rarely is a measure of motivation available to help inform interpretations. Lack of motivation may present a potential threat to appropriate interpretation of score meaning. Knowing how large a threat it represents would be very useful. Researchers have been interested in trying to gauge examinee motivation in a variety of testing conditions to explore the presence and magnitude of this potential source of score bias.
The Student Opinion Scale (SOS) is one such means for gauging examinee motivation. The SOS is a self-report tool that has been used in various testing contexts (e.g., consequential and non-consequential). The measure has garnered empirical support for internal consistency and validity of score inferences through more than 12 years of use in research and practical applications.
The SOS consists of 10 questions on motivation followed by 3 demographic questions.
Questions:
Please think about the test or tests that you just completed. Mark the answer that best represents how you feel about statements 1 through 10 below.
A= Strongly Disagree
B=Disagree
C=Neutral
D=Agree
E=Strongly Agree
- Doing well on these tests was important to me.
- I engaged in good effort throughout these tests.
- I am not curious about how I did on these tests relative to others.
- I am not concerned about the scores I receive on these tests.
- These were important tests to me.
- I gave my best effort on these tests.
- While taking these examinations, I could have worked harder on them.
- I would like to know how well I did on these tests.
- I did not give these tests my full attention while completing them.
- While taking these tests, I was able to persist to completion of the tasks.
- Please indicate your gender (Male/Female)
- Indicate the number of credits have you completed.
- Have you completed all of your General Education course requirements? (Yes/No)