The Utility of Study Habits and Attitudes Inventory in a College Reading Program

Abstract

EACH NEW measuring instrument published is automatically subjected to a series of critical trials of an exploratory nature in the field for which it is de signed. These amount to its use under a variety of local conditions for a vari ety of local purposes. Only in this manner c an a c o uns e lor, a classroom teacher, an administrator, or a research worker decide whether the new in strument yields information not otherwise obtainable, and hence of value to him. An intelligent decision as to whether it should be incorporated in a school or college test battery can only be made on the basis of varied research data. The specific use?as a partial basis for selecting students or job appli cants, its administration to a counselee, etc ,?is also determined by these findings. Undoubtedly, the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (1) has been and is now undergoing such repeated trials of an exploratory nature. It is designed to measure study methods, motivation for study, and attitudes important for scholastic success in college. The fact that no easily administered test of satisfactory validity is available in the areas mentioned most certainly encour ages experimental use of this inventory. It is the purpose of this paper to evaluate in part its utility when used in connection with a college reading im provement program.