Adaptation and validation of an inventory for assessing subjective task value beliefs regarding the decision to pursue postgraduate studies

Abstract

The desire to pursue postgraduate studies is motivated by several interrelated and multifaceted factors ranging from intrinsic to extrinsic. However, little consensus exists in the literature regarding an instrument that assesses an individual’s motivation for pursuing postgraduate education. In this study, we adapted and validated a pre-existing inventory that evaluates the individuals’ motives for pursuing postgraduate studies using the subjective task value beliefs framework. The study, in particular, focused on assessing the factor structure, construct validity, and reliability of the adapted scale. Study participation invitations were sent to a pool of postgraduate students in two higher education institutions, of which 501 students finally responded to the online questionnaire. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyse the data to address the research objectives. The results revealed a five-factor structure for the adapted scale with excellent construct validity and reliability indicators. The findings of the research add value to the psychometric literature and also provide a useful instrument for use among instructors, researchers, and university administrators in their line of duty.