Individual Assessment of Media Writing Student Attitudes: Recasting the Mass Communication Writing Apprehension Measure

Abstract

Q Methodology was used to recast the Mass Communication Writing Apprehension Measure (MCWAM) created in 1988 and 1992 studies of students. Objectives included assessing the multidimensionality of the MCWAM and the nature of positive and negative attitudes toward writing. Using a pretest, posttest approach, this study produced in-depth information on two factors of students: Optimists/Professionals and Doubters/Pessimists. After a sixteen-week semester, the Optimists/Professionals remained very positive about writing and the relevance of writing skills. By contrast, the Doubters/Pessimists grew even more negative toward the writing experience.