Validating a measure of motivational regulation strategies and examining their relationship to English proficiency
Journal cover Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, title Online First
PDF

Keywords

scale validation
motivational regulation strategy
EFL
English proficiency

How to Cite

Luo, S., Gan, Z., & An, Z. (2025). Validating a measure of motivational regulation strategies and examining their relationship to English proficiency. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.38771

Number of views: 286


Number of downloads: 193

Abstract

Motivational regulation has been recognized as a crucial component of self-regulated learning. This paper presents the validation of a measure of motivational regulation strategies in an English as a foreign language context (MRS-EFL). A sample of 587 college freshmen attending an English enhancement course was recruited for data collection. Confirmatory factor analysis results supported the eight-factor structure of motivational regulation strategies, indicating a strong psychometric basis. The eight-factor 30-item scale showed good validity and reliability as well as invariance across gender. The results of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) further revealed discrepancies in motivational regulation strategies among students of various English proficiency levels. Our findings suggest that the MRS-EFL can serve a dual purpose, both as an evaluation instrument for educators to assess motivational regulation strategies among students and as a research tool for researchers to investigate the impact of motivational regulation strategies on English learning outcomes.

https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.38771
PDF

References

Alamer, A. (2022). Basic psychological needs, motivational orientations, and vocabulary knowledge: A comprehensive model. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 44, 164-184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S027226312100005X

Bai, B., & Guo, W. (2021). Motivation and self-regulated strategy use: Relationships to primary school students’ English writing in Hong Kong. Language Teaching Research, 25(3), 378-399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168819859921

Bandura, A., & Schunk, D. (1981). Cultivating competence, self-efficacy and intrinsic interest through proximal self-motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 586-598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.41.3.586

Boekaerts, M. (1996). Self-regulated learning at the junction of cognition and motivation. European Psychologist, 1(2), 100-112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040.1.2.100

Brislin, R. W. (1970). Back-translation for cross-cultural research. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1(3), 185-216. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/135910457000100301

Brown, T. A. (2014). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research. Guilford.

Cheung, G. W., & Rensvold, R. B. (2002). Evaluating goodness-of-fit indexes for testing measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 9(2), 233-255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328007SEM0902_5

Cleary, T. J. (2006). The development and validation of the self-regulation strategy inventory – self-report. Journal of School Psychology, 44(4), 307-322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2006.05.002

Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Council of Europe. (2001). Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Cambridge University Press.

Csizér, K., & Tankó, G. (2017). English majors’ self-regulatory control strategy use in academic writing and its relation to L2 motivation. Applied Linguistics, 38(3), 386-404.

DiFrancesca, D., Nietfeld, J. L., & Cao, L. (2016). A comparison of high and low achieving students on self-regulated learning variables. Learning and Individual Differences, 45, 228-236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.11.010

Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Motivation strategies in the language classroom. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511667343

Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. Lawrence Erlbaum. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/aila.19.05dor

Elliot, A. J., Gable, S. L., & Mapes, R. R. (2006). Approach and avoidance motivation in the social domain. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32(3), 378-391. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205282153

Elliot, A. J., & McGregor, H. A. (2001). A 2 x 2 achievement goal framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(3), 501-519. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.80.3.501

Fayers, P. M., & Hand, D. J. (1997). Factor analysis, causal indicators and quality of life. Quality of Life Research, 6(2), 139-150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026490117121

Gan, Z. (2020). How learning motivation influences feedback experience and preference in Chinese university EFL students. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 496. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00496

Gan, Z., Yuan, Z., & Schumacker, R. (2023). Examining the psychometric properties of the motivational scale of motivated strategies for learning questionnaire for English learning among Chinese secondary students. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 41(8), 942-951. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829231193064

Gehle, M., Trautner, M., & Schwinger, M. (2023). Motivational self-regulation in children with mild learning difficulties during middle childhood: Do they use motivational regulation strategies effectively? Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 101487. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101487

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2011). SPSS for Windows step by step: A simple guide and reference (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.

Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B., & Anderson, R. (2010). Multivariate data analysis: A global perspective. Pearson Education.

Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8

Hidi, S., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2001). Motivating the academically unmotivated: A critical issue for the 21st century. Review of Educational Research, 70(2), 151-179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543070002151

Hooper, D., Coughlan, J., & Mullen, M. R. (2008). Structural equation modelling: Guidelines for determining model fit. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 6, 53-60.

Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling – A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1-55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

Huang, Y., & Wu, B. (2020). Developing critical thinking skills in stratified college English courses: Experiences of teachers in a large university in China. Creative Education, 11, 1042-1046. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2020.117075

Ilishkina, D. I., de Bruin, A., Podolskiy, A. I., Volk, M. I., & van Merriënboer, J. J. (2022). Understanding self-regulated learning through the lens of motivation: Motivational regulation strategies vary with students’ motives. International Journal of Educational Research, 113, 101956. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.101956

Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Kormos, J., & Csizér, K. (2014). The interaction of motivation, self-regulatory strategies, and autonomous learning behavior in different learner groups. TESOL Quarterly, 48(2), 275-299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.129

Krapp, A. (2002). Structural and dynamic aspects of interest development: Theoretical considerations from an ontogenetic perspective. Learning and Instruction, 12(4), 383-409. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-4752(01)00011-1

Kryshko, O., Fleischer, J., Grunschel, C., & Leutner, D. (2022). Self-efficacy for motivational regulation and satisfaction with academic studies in STEM undergraduates: The mediating role of study motivation. Learning and Individual Differences, 93, 102096. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2021.102096

Kryshko, O., Fleischer, J., Waldeyer, J., Wirth, J., & Leutner, D. (2020). Do motivational regulation strategies contribute to university students’ academic success? Learning and Individual Differences, 82, 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101912

Lam, K. K. L., & Zhou, M. (2022). An examination of the conceptual structure of long-term goal striving. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(4), 550 -565. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211016190

Liou, P.-Y., & Kuo, P.-J. (2014). Validation of an instrument to measure students’ motivation and self-regulation towards technology learning. Research in Science & Technological Education, 32(2), 79-96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2014.893235

Ljubin-Golub, T., Petričević, E., & Rovan, D. (2019). The role of personality in motivational regulation and academic procrastination. Educational Psychology, 39(4), 550-568. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2018.1537479

Luo, S., & Gan, Z. (2023). Use of motivational regulation strategies and its relations to motivational beliefs in a college English course context. Language Teaching Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688231217095

Miele, D. B., & Scholer, A. A. (2018). The role of metamotivational monitoring in motivation regulation. Educational Psychologist, 53(1), 1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2017.1371601

Miele, D. B., Scholer, A. A., & Fujita, K. (2020). Metamotivation: Emerging research on the regulation of motivational states. Advances in Motivation Science, 7, 1-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.adms.2019.10.001

Noels, K. A., Lou, N. M., Lascano, D. I. V., Chaffee, K. E., Dincer, A., & Zhang, Y. S. D. (2019). Self-determination and motivated engagement in language learning. In M. Lamb, K. Csizér, A. Henry, & S. Ryan (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of motivation for language learning (pp. 95-115). Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28380-3_5

Oxford, R. L. (2011). Teaching and researching language learning strategies. Pearson/Longman.

Pintrich, P. R., (2004). A conceptual framework for assessing motivation and self-regulated learning in college students. Educational Psychology Review, 16(4), 385-407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-004-0006-x

Schneider, M., & Preckel, F. (2017). Variables associated with achievement in higher education: A systematic review of meta-analyses. Psychological bulletin, 143(6), 565-600. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000098

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2008). Motivation and self-regulated learning: Theory, research, and applications. Lawrence Erlbaum.

Schwinger, M., Steinmayr, R., & Spinath, B. (2009). How do MRSs affect achievement: Mediated by effort management and moderated by intelligence. Learning and Individual Differences, 19(4), 621-627. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2009.08.006

Schwinger, M., & Stiensmeier-Pelster, J. (2012). Effects of motivational regulation on effort and achievement: A mediation model. International Journal of Educational Research, 56, 35-47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2012.07.005

Schwinger, M., von der Laden, T., & Spinath, B. (2007). Strategien zur Motivationsregulation und ihre Erfassung [Motivational regulation strategies and their measurement]. Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie, 39, 57-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1026/0049-8637.39.2.57

Seker, M. (2016). The use of self-regulation strategies by foreign language learners and its role in language achievement. Language Teaching Research, 20(5), 600-618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168815578550

Smit, K., de Brabander, C. J., Boekaerts, M., & Martens, R. L. (2017). The self-regulation of motivation: Motivational strategies as mediator between motivational beliefs and engagement for learning. International Journal of Educational Research, 82, 124-134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2017.01.006

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed). Pearson.

Teng, L. S. (2021). Individual differences in self-regulated learning: Exploring the nexus of motivational beliefs, self-efficacy, and SRL strategies in EFL writing. Language Teaching Research, 28(2), 366-388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688211006881

Teng, L. S., Yuan, R. E., & Sun, P. S. (2020). A mixed-methods approach to investigating motivational regulation strategies and writing proficiency in English as a foreign language contexts. System, 88, 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2019.102182

Teng, L. S., & Zhang, L. J. (2016a). A questionnaire-based validation of multidimensional models of self-regulated learning strategies. Modern Language Journal, 100, 674-701. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12339

Teng, L. S., & Zhang, L. J. (2016b). Fostering strategic learning: The development and validation of the Writing Strategies for Motivational Regulation Questionnaire (WSMRQ). The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 25, 123-134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-015-0243-4

Ushioda, E. (2012). Motivation: L2 learning as a special case? In S. Mercer, S. Ryan, & M. Williams (Eds.), Psychology for language learning (pp. 58-73). Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137032829_5

Ushioda, E. (2017). The impact of global English on motivation to learn other languages: Toward an ideal multilingual self. Modern Language Journal, 101(3), 469-482. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12413

Wang, F., Jiang, C., King, R. B., & Leung, S. O. (2023). Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ): Adaptation, validation, and development of a short form in the Chinese context for mathematics. Psychology in the Schools, 60, 2018-2040. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22845

Wolters, C. A. (1998). Self-regulated learning and college students’ regulation of motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 9, 224-235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0663.90.2.224

Wolters, C. A. (1999). The relation between high school students’ motivational regulation and their use of learning strategies, effort, and classroom performance. Learning and Individual Differences, 3, 281-299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1041-6080(99)80004-1

Wolters, C. A. (2003). Regulation of motivation: Evaluating an underemphasized aspect of self-regulated learning. Educational Psychologist, 38(4), 189-205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15326985EP3804_1

Wolters, C. A. (2011). Regulation of motivation: Contextual and social aspects. Teachers College Record, 113(2), 265-283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811111300202

Wolters, C. A., & Benzon, M. B. (2013). Assessing and predicting college students’ use of strategies for the self-regulation of motivation. Journal of Experimental Education, 81(2), 199-221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220973.2012.699901

Zhang, S., & Liu, Q. (2019). Investigating the relationships among teachers’ motivational beliefs, motivational regulation, and their learning engagement in online professional learning communities. Computers & Education, 134, 145-155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.02.013

Zhang, Y. N., & Dong, L. Q. (2022). A study of the impacts of motivational regulation and self-regulated second-language writing strategies on college students’ proximal and distal writing enjoyment and anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 938346. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.938346

Zimmerman, B. J. (2008). Investigating self-regulation and motivation: Historical background, methodological developments, and future prospects. American Educational Research Journal, 45(1), 166-183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831207312909

Zimmerman, B. J. (2013). From cognitive modeling to self-regulation: A social cognitive career path. Educational Psychologist, 48(3), 135-147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2013.794676