Instrument

Main Instrument

The Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL) survey questionnaire was designed specifically for this research. It is adapted from the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale (SRLS) (Tyree, 1998), which measures the 8 core values of the social change model (HERI, 1996).

The instrument also collects:

Demographic Variables

race, gender, socio-economic status

Inputs

variables designed to capture student characteristics prior to college

leadership training prior to college, pretest measures

Environment

variables related to how students engage with the college environment

mentoring relationships, involvement patterns, and academic experiences

Outcomes

variables that supplement the Social Change Model core values

leadership-related outcomes such as appreciation of diversity and self-efficacy for leadership

Sub-studies

Each version of the MSL includes a number of sub-studies. These modules explore educational outcomes or environmental variables not included in the main instrument. MSL uses sub-studies to explore additional areas of interest without dramatically increasing the length of the survey.

A portion of your sample will be randomly selected to participate in the sub-studies. These data are included in the overall dataset. However, they are not analyzed in your institution's final report.

Examples of sub-studies in the MSL include:

Recurring Sub-studies

New Sub-studies

cognitive complexity, student activism, reasons for involvement in governance groups, leadership identity development

mentoring, spirituality, social perspective taking, salience of racial identity

The MSL instrument is updated and refined for each data collection.

Institutional Survey

The MSL Institutional Survey (MSL-IS) is a parallel study that explores the relationship between institutional factors and student outcomes. It will collect data about your institution's culture, philosophy, mission, and program offerings. A representative from your school will complete the IS while the main instrument is fielding on your campus.

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Latest News

C. Charles Jackson Grant

8.4.2010 MSL has received a $25,000 grant from the C. Charles Jackson Foundation. The grant is designated to provide partial scholarships to support the involvement of institutions that need financial assistance to participate in the MSL 2010 study. To apply, complete the scholarship application by September 1, 2010

MSL 2011 Webinars

4.28.2010 MSL is conducting a series of free, informational webinars about the 2011 data collection. The MSL team will answer participants’ questions about implementing MSL on their campuses.

Measuring Quality Inventory

4.28.2010 MSL has been included in the Measuring Quality Inventory, an online inventory of resources designed to assist higher education faculty and staff in the challenging task of assessing academic and support programs as well as institutional effectiveness, more broadly.

Upcoming MSL Workshop

4.13.2010 Susan R. Komives is presenting a pre-conference workshop on leadership theory and research featuring the Social Change Model and MSL findings at the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.

MSL Co-PI Honored by NASPA

3.11.2010 NASPA announced an award named in honor of MSL's Co-PI. The Susan R. Komives Student Leadership Researcher Award will be awarded annually by the Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community.

MSL Receives NASPA Award

3.11.2010 MSL received the 2010 Spotlight of the Year Award from the NASPA Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community at the 2010 annual conference in Chicago.

National MSL Benchmark Dataset

3.1.2010 Starting in the 2011 data collection, the MSL will provide a National MSL Benchmark Dataset to all participating schools as part of the MSL Standard service. The purpose of this dataset will be for use by Institutional Research and other data driven researchers at MSL participating schools to conduct their own school specific analyses, including a representative subset of the MSL National Benchmark Data.

MSL 2011 Enrollment Open

3.1.2010 MSL 2011 enrollment formally opens with new services and a significant early enrollment discount.

Student Leadership Research Award

1.28.2010 John P. Dugan is the first recipient of the "Student Leadership Research Award" presented by the NASPA Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community.

ILA Board Appointment

10.13.2009 Susan R. Komives has recently been appointed to the Board of the International Leadership Association (ILA).

Example Custom Report

8.10.2009 An example of the complete MSL custom report is now available for download.

Informational Webinar

7.15.2009 Learn more about the MSL by watching our free informational webinar. The full webinar, PowerPoint® slides, and other materials are available for download. Read more »

Recent Publication

7.1.2009 NCLP partner Jossey-Bass has recently published a book on leadership by MSL PI Susan Komives and research team member Wendy Wagner. Leadership for a Better World: Understanding the Social Change Model of Leadership Development is available to NCLP members at a 20% discount.

NASPA Certificate

4.6.2009 MSL PIs recognized by NASPA. Read more »

MSL 2011 Timeline

April 30, 2010

Early enrollment deadline

October, 2010

Final enrollment deadline

July - December, 2010

Schools prepare for data collection

January - April, 2011

Data collection

Summer, 2011

School reports distributed

View the full MSL Timeline »