An Examination of Some Methodological Problems in Testing Expectancy—Valence Models with Survey Techniques.

Expectancy-valence models of work motivation are frequently tested with survey methodology. This paper deals with the reliability and construct validity of various questionnaire measures of expectancy-valence components. Measures of (a) valence, (b) instrumentality, and (c) expectancy were given to a sample of 171 Air Force trainees on two occasions. The results indicated that reliabilities of the three 'components of the model were fairly low and that different measures of the same component were not highly correlated. it. was concluded that using questionnaire measures to test expectancy-valence models is inappropriate until better measures are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]