Other researchers suggest that students may find math to be simply unappealing or socially unacceptable, although they may actually have high aptitude. In any case, it is crucial that any investigation of attitudes be assessed with an instrument that has good technical characteristics if research conclusions are to be meaningful. The relationship of affect to course selection, performance, achievement, and cognitive processes must be based solidly on a valid, reliable measure of attitudes. Attitude scales must withstand factor analysis, tap important dimensions of attitudes, and require a minimum amount of time for administration. Finding a need for a shorter instrument with a straightforward factor structure, the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory (ATMI) was developed.