An Analysis of the Reliability and Stability of the Motivation Assessment Scale in Assessing the Challenging Behaviors of Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-1996

Description

One assessment instrument that was developed to evaluate the motivational factors that may instigate or maintain challenging behaviors in persons with developmental disabilities is the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) (Durand and Crimmins, 1992). Although the MAS is increasingly being used in applied settings, questions remain concerning its reliability and validity (Crawford, Brockel, Schauss, and Miltenberger, 1992). The purpose of this research study was to further assess the intra-rater and inter-rater agreement of the MAS and expand the results of previous research by evaluating this across additional time and administrations. A total of 20 persons with mental retardation and 19 raters participated in the study. The results indicated variable moderate-low intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. Conclusions and the need for future research are discussed.

Share

COinS