Multidimensional assessment of school motivation

This study examines the multidimensional and hierarchical structure of achievement goal orientation measured by the Inventory of School Motivation. The instrument consists of eight different scales with 33 survey items (ranging from 3 to 5 items each) and each reflecting one of eight specific dimensions: task, effort, competition, social power, affiliation, social concern, praise, and token. The study also examines the ability of these eight first-order factors to define three general second-order factors – general mastery, general performance, and general social factors, as well as one third-order factor, overall motivation. Participants were four different cultural groups in Australian high schools (N=4508) and United State’s high schools (N=1759). Multidimensional, confirmatory factor analysis and nested structural equation models support a hierarchical, multidimensional school motivation construct. The finding provides a strong theoretical structure for further school motivation research