Validation of the Motivation to Read Survey

This study describes the validation process of the Motivation to Read Profile Survey developed by Gambrell et al. for use in Colombia. The tool assesses reading motivation through the lens of expectancy-value theory and focuses on two constructs associated with motivation to read: readers’ self-concept and value of reading. The need to assess motivation to read in Spanish-speaking countries is well-documented given the lack of valid and reliable tools in contexts such as Latin America and Spain. Data were obtained from a Phase 2 exploratory trial of Paired Reading among Colombian primary school students involving 319 students (grades 3 and 5) who completed the MTR Survey. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine item loadings onto the pre-established factors. Despite good internal consistency (alpha= 0.718), not all items load onto the two original subscales, suggesting a shorter underlying structure of the MTR with five items per subscale. Findings from this study underscore the importance of revising survey items to ensure contextual relevance that may differ from the ones where the instrument was originally developed and validated.