Establishing validity for the Expectancy-Value-Cost Scale

Abstract

This study developed a Japanese version of the Expectancy–Value–Cost Scale, which measures expectancy, value, and cost (EVC) in a brief format, and tested its validity. It administered a web-based survey to 789 elementary and junior high school students focusing on two subjects, namely, mathematics and English. The confirmatory factor analysis exhibited a good model fit in which EVC are distinct latent factors, replicating the results of previous studies. Likewise, the study obtained correlations with other variables as expected, confirming the validity of the scale. In addition, while the relationship between EVC for mathematics and learning intention in mathematics was strong, that between EVC for mathematics and learning intention in English tended to be weak, suggesting that EVC can differ according to subject and be applied to various subjects.