Homework Expectancy Value Cost Scale for Middle School Students: A Validation Study

We investigated the psychometric properties of the Homework Expectancy Value Cost Scale (HEVCS), using 1,072 Chinese students in Grades 7–8. Results from confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) indicated that the HEVCS included three factors: Homework Expectancy, Homework Value, and Homework Cost. Additionally, no latent mean differences were found across gender and grade level. Furthermore, the HEVCS had adequate to very good reliability estimates. Finally, congruent with theoretical predictions, Homework Expectancy and Homework Value were related positively to homework effort, completion, and mathematics achievement, and negatively to homework procrastination. Homework Cost was related negatively to homework effort, completion, and mathematics achievement, and positively to homework procrastination. Our investigation provides compelling evidence that the HEVCS is a valid scale for assessing homework motivational beliefs.