The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) evaluates different leadership styles either from passive leaders to transactional leaders. Also it allows individuals to measure how they perceive themselves and with others perception. The MLQ was designed with the 360-degree feedback method, 24 raters supplying respondents advice on their performance in relation to how they did on the test.
Participants are asked to respond to 45 items in the MLQ 5x-Short or 63 items in the long form using a 5-point scale (“Not at all” to “Frequently if not always”). Approximately 15 minutes is required for completion.
Authors
Bruce J. Avolio & Bernard M. Bass
Reliability and Validity
The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire is a well established instrument rising to the key measure of Transformational Leadership as well as being extensively researched and validated. Avolio and Bass’s test manual shows strong evidence for validity; the MLQ has been used in over 300 research programs, doctoral dissertations, and master’s theses, along with several constructive outcomes for transformational leadership. Construct validity is also thoroughly explained with factor analyses which resulted in a six-factor model for the MLQ. In addition, a study conducted by Antonakis, supported the nine-factor leadership model and its stability in homogeneous situations. Reliability scores for the MLQ subscales ranged from moderate to good.
Learn more about the MLQ or to Purchase
You can learn more about the MLQ or purchase at the website of our preferred partner, MindGarden.com.
About Mind Garden, Inc.
Mind Garden is an independent psychological publishing company of leadership, coping, anxiety and many other assessments and developmental materials. Since 1994, Mind Garden has sought to preserve and grow important psychological assessments.
Mind Garden is unique in providing permission to reproduce their products. This is ideal for Ph.D. candidates and researchers wanting to modify instruments. Traditional paper is also available. Mind Garden can also provide samples of instruments and scoring in our Sampler Sets so that you do not need to order additional components to understand an instrument.
Administration, Analysis and Reporting
Statistics Solutions consists of a team of professional methodologists and statisticians that can assist the student or professional researcher in administering the survey instrument, collecting the data, conducting the analyses and explaining the results.
For additional information on these services, click here.
Dissertations Using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire
Below is a list of dissertations that use the MLQ. The full versions of these dissertations can be found on ProQuest.
Fiery, B. M. (2008). Contextual influences affecting transformational leadership in northwest virginia multiple nonprofit hospital systems. University of Phoenix).
Long, J. D. (2004). Factors that influence nurse attrition: An analysis of the relationship between supervisor leadership style and subordinate job satisfaction. Capella University).
Ohman, K. A. (1997). Leadership behavior and role preparation of first-line nurse managers in critical care. University of Minnesota).
Hahn, J. A. (2004). The behavioral characteristics of nursing leadership associated with effective coalition building and work among the colleagues in caring coalitions. George Mason University).
Omer, T. Y. (2005). Leadership style of nurse managers at the saudi national guard hospitals. George Mason University).
King, K. C. (1994). Transformational leadership in school of nursing deans: Perceived effectiveness, faculty satisfaction, and faculty willingness to put forth extra effort. Spalding University)
Additional Survey Instruments in the Organizational/Leadership/Social Groups Category
- Authentic Leadership Questionnaire for Assessment and Development (ALQ)
- Authentic Leadership Questionnaire for Researchers (ALQ)
- Campbell Organizational Survey (COS7)
- Community Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES)
- Correctional Institutions Environment Scale (CIES)
- Developing the Leader Within (DLW)
- Family Environment Scale (FES)
- Group Environment Scale (GES)
- Hoffman Vocational Values Scale (HVVS)
- Leader Attributes Inventory (LAI)
- Leader Competency Inventory (LCI)
- Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI)
- Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI)
- Leadership Skills Inventory – Karnes (LSI – Karnes)
- Leadership Skills Profile (LSP)
- Military Environment Inventory (MEI)
- Organizational Description Questionnaire
- Profiles of Organizational Influence Strategies (POIS)
- Psychological Ownership Questionnaire (POQ)
- Social Climate Scales (SCSUG)
- Social Insight Test (SCLT)
- Team Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire
- University Residence Environment Scale (URES)
- Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS)
- Work Environment Scale (WES)
References
Antonakis, J., Avolio, B., & Sivasubramaniam, N. (2003). Context and leadership: An examination of the nine-factor full-range leadership theory using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Leadership Quarterly, 14, 261-295.
Avolio, B., & Bass, B. (1991). The full-range of leadership development. Binghamton, NY: Center for Leadership Studies. Full Range Leadership Development
Bass, B. M. (1990). From transactional to transformational leadership: Learning to share the vision. Organizational Dynamics, 18, 19-31.
Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York: Free Press. View
Bass, B. M. & Aviolo, B. J. (1990b). Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press. View
Fleenor, John W. Review of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC.
Hoffman, E. (2002). Psychological testing at work. New York: McGraw Hill. View
Pittenger, D. J. (2001). [Review of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire for Research]. In B. S. Plake & J. C. Impara (Eds.), The fourteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 806-808). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
