Revisiting the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire

Abstract

The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) has dominated self-regulated learning research since the early 1990s. In this study, the two MSLQ subscales specifically designed to assess self-regulation—Metacognitive Self-Regulation subscale and Effort Regulation subscale—were examined. Results indicated that the structure of the two scales is not supported by the original data reported by Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, and McKeachie in 1991 or new data. Statistical and theoretical analyses supported two modified scales, the General Strategies for Learning scale and the Clarification Strategies for Learning scale, that assess academic self-regulation from the original MSLQ items. The statistical and theoretical analyses, results, and modified scales are discussed.