Factor Analysts At Large: a Critical Review of the Motivational Orientation Literature

Abstract

The methodology employed in fourteen motivational orienta tion studies is reviewed. All studies used either the Education Participation Scale, the Continuing Learning Orientation Index or the Reasons for Educational Participation Scale. Issues discussed concern factor scoring, factor analysis, rotation, scaling, reliability and the extent to which the three-factor Houle typology is an accu rate representation of reality. There has been some well executed research in the orientation area. However, many deficiencies are identified and it is recommended that future orientation researchers emulate the strengths but avoid the weaknesses of previous studies.