Critical Synthesis Package: Strength of Motivation for Medical School-Revised (SMMS-R) Questionnaire

• Main Authors: Gillian Leibach (Author), Marilyn Stern (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Association of American Medical Colleges, 2013-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Abstract This Critical Synthesis Package contains: (1) a Critical Analysis of the psychometric properties and application to health sciences education for the Strength of Motivation for Medical School-Revised (SMMS-R) Questionnaire, and (2) a copy of the SMMS-R instrument and the SMMS-R scoring guide developed by Olle Ten Cate, PhD The SMMS-R is a 15-item self-report measure that evaluates the strength of motivation new medical students have for training in medical school. It includes three sub-scales identified through a factor analysis: Willingness to Sacrifice, Readiness to Start, and Persistence. Responses are provided on a 5-point Likert scale from one (strongly disagree) to five (strongly agree). Scores can be calculated individually by sub-scale or by summing the scores from all of the sub-scales to create an overall Strength of Motivation for Medical School score. Scores can range from five to 25 on the individual sub-scales and from 15 to 75 for the overall scale. Although the measure has demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as validity, the authors suggest further studies on the psychometric properties. Its recommended use is not as a tool to accept or reject applicants to medical school, but rather for post-hoc analyses to examine the relations between motivation and other factors (e.g., academic successes). Having a more cohesive understanding of the strength of motivation for medical school could help administrators and faculty members target students who may need interventions to improve strength of motivation.

Item Description

10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9645
2374-8265