Educational Work Components Study – EWCS

Measures work motivation and job desirability factors among school personnel.

56 Questions

~14 min

Custom

Scale Development & Technical Details

Scale Overview

The Educational Work Components Study – EWCS was developed by Cecil G. Miskel, Leonard E. Heller (1973). It is designed to measure Work Motivation. The scale is intended for use with School administrators, teachers, and education students.

Scale Structure

This instrument consists of 56 items organized into 6 factors/subscales: Potential for personal challenge and development, Competitiveness desirability and reward of success, Tolerance for work pressure, Conservative security, Willingness to seek reward in spite of uncertainty vs. avoidance of uncertainty, Surround concern.

Factor / Subscale	Items	N
Potential for personal challenge and development	13,24,31,34,39,42,45,56	8
Competitiveness desirability and reward of success	3,11,21,35,37,49,52	7
Tolerance for work pressure	7,12,18,22,27,28,43,48,50	9
Conservative security	2,10,14,15,20,26,33,36,41,47,54	11
Willingness to seek reward in spite of uncertainty vs. avoidance of uncertainty	1,4,6,9,19,25,32,40,46,53	10
Surround concern	5,8,16,17,23,29,30,38,44,51,55	11

Response Format

Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.

Response anchors: 1 = Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job, 2 = Undesirable. Would avoid the job, 3 = Neither Desirable or Undesirable, 4 = Desirable. Would favor the job, 5 = Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly.

Scoring

Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.

Psychometric Properties

Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Alpha coefficients for subscales ranged from 0.73 to 0.83.

Administration

The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.

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About You

Please provide the following information before starting the assessment. This data is used for research purposes only and will remain confidential.

Gender *

Age *

Education Level

Country / Nationality

Instructions

How desirable would you consider each of the following items in a job for you? Rate each item based on a job in which...

1 Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job

2 Undesirable. Would avoid the job

3 Neither Desirable or Undesirable

4 Desirable. Would favor the job

5 Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

1

I could get fired easily, but the work would be very interesting.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

2

The emphasis would be on carrying out clearly outlined school district policies.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

3

Salary increases would be strictly a matter of how much you accomplished for the school district.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

4

I could not be sure I could keep my job as long as I want it.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

5

The lighting is good.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

6

The school district is not stable.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

7

Trouble might come up that I would have to take care of myself, even outside regular hours.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

8

The community has good recreational facilities.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

9

The school district has in the recent past been having a hard time holding its position.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

10

The job is managing a small group of people doing routine jobs.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

11

The school district is known to be involved in heavy competition.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

12

The work might be excessive sometimes.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

13

There is opportunity for creative work.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

14

The work would be routine, but would not be hard to do.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

15

I would work as a member of a more-or-less permanent group.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

16

The climate would be pleasant.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

17

The community would be a wonderful place to raise a family.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

18

The schedule of hours might have to be flexible in response to the amount of work.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

19

The work might run out, but it would be extremely interesting while it lasted.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

20

The pay is not too high, but the job is secure.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

21

Persons are supposed to "get the boot" if they don't make good and keep making good.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

22

I might sometimes have to take work home with me.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

23

The physical working conditions would be attractive.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

24

I would have a chance to really accomplish something, even if others wouldn't know about it.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

25

I could get fired easily.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

26

The work is routine, but the initial salary is high.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

27

The work might build up "pressures" on me.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

28

The nature of the job changes because the school district changes.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

29

The fringe benefits are very good.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

30

The ventilation is modern.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

31

There would be emphasis on individual ability.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

32

There is little permanency of positions.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

33

I would be under civil service.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

34

The school district is located in a university center and would encourage further specialized work.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

35

There are opportunities to earn bonuses.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

36

Promotions come automatically.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

37

Competition would be open and encouraged.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

38

The community would have a good social and cultural life.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

39

I would have a chance to further my formal education.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

40

I could get fired easily, but the rewards would be high.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

41

The work is routine, but highly respected in the community.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

42

I would always have a chance to learn something new.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

43

There might occasionally be some physical danger.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

44

The supervisors are nice people.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

45

The work itself keeps changing and I need to change to keep up with it.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

46

The job is insecure.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

47

The salary increases are regularly scheduled.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

48

The work might come in big pushes.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

49

There is emphasis on the actual production record.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

50

I might be on call when there is pressure to get jobs done.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

51

The retirement plan is good.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

52

Salary increases would be a matter of how much effort you put in.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

53

Rewards are high, and the work interesting, but if one loses his job it is very difficult to get another one.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

54

There would be emphasis on satisfying superiors by carrying out school policy.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

55

I would have nice people for coworkers.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

56

There would be emphasis on originality.

Extremely Undesirable. Would never take the job Undesirable. Would avoid the job Neither Desirable or Undesirable Desirable. Would favor the job Extremely Desirable. Would favor job greatly

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