The MSA: An Instrument for Measuring Motivation to Study Abroad

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a paper and pencil instrument that classifies the principal motivations for students participating in study abroad programs. While many of the factors relating to relevant program parameters are readily apparent (Engle and Engle, 2003), it is important to understand how students’ motivation for participating in a study abroad program mediates the magnitude of those gains. For research to advance on the moderating influence of student motivation, an instrument is needed to classify these motivations so that students can be sorted into appropriate categories.