Motivation Assessment Scale for Learning in Higher Education (EMAPRE-U): Validity Evidence

Abstract As part of the psychological evaluation, it is essential to use measuring instruments appropriate to the specific areas of interest and with good psychometric properties. In this perspective, this study was intended to seek validity evidence by analyzing the internal structure for the Motivation Assessment Scale for Learning (EMAPRE) in higher education, using confirmatory factor analysis. The EMAPRE is a Likert scale with 28 items, with the options "agree", "disagree" and "do not know". The study included 815 students, of whom 58.9% were male, with age spread from 18 to 63 years, in several majors in private institutions. Three models were tested and the results indicated best fits indices with the three-factor model, but with the need to eliminate two items from the EMAPRE. Adequate reliability levels were found, indicating that the instrument is useful in assessing learning motivation in university students.