The Development of the Motivation for Critical Reasoning in Online Discussions Inventory (MCRODI)

Abstract

This study was conducted to develop an inventory that measures students' motivation to engage in critical reasoning in online discussions. Inventory items were developed based on theoretical frameworks and then tested on 168 participants. Using exploratory factor analysis, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency, twenty-two items were selected for the Motivation for Critical Reasoning in Online Discussions Inventory. Six motivational constructs were supported: Interest and Enjoyment, Normative Goals, Outcome Goals, Implicit Theories, Self-Efficacy Perception, and Finishing Requirements. The inventory can be used by other researchers or online instructors to collect students' motivational data to investigate strategies to promote student motivation in online discussions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Thanks to Dr. Jere Brophy, who provided suggestions on the development of the inventory and who reviewed this article.

Notes

1. Principal Component and Maximum Likelihood Analyses were also conducted and produced a highly similar result (with the order of Factor 4 and Factor 5 switched in Principal Component Analysis).