A psychometric evaluation of two achievement goal inventories

The properties of the achievement goal inventories developed by Grant and Dweck (2003) and Elliot and McGregor (2001) were evaluated in two studies with a total of 780 participants. A four-factor specification for the Grant and Dweck inventory did not closely replicate results published in their original report. In contrast, the structure of the Elliot and McGregor inventory was more or less replicable. In addition, the associations between the scales on both inventories were examined, and both inventories have scales that tap approach-related forms of performance and learning goals. However, a notable advantage of the shorter Elliot and McGregor inventory is that it also includes measures of the avoidance forms of these goals. In sum, the author concluded that the Elliot and McGregor inventory was a superior measure of achievement goal constructs on the basis of practical, psychometric, and theoretical considerations.