Characteristics of ego- and task-oriented students: a comparison of two methodologies

A motivation questionnaire was completely by 79 grade five students. Responses were subjected to a factor analysis which was followed by a series of Pearson correlations between the resultant factor scores and measures of ability perceptions, self-worth, self-efficacy, success and failure attributions, positive and negative emotions, and preference for challenge. Responses were also subjected to a cluster analysis followed by a series of between-group contrasts with each of the aforementioned motivational constructs as the dependent variable and cluster membership as the independent variable. Factor analytic-correlational methodology was compared to cluster analysis with between-groups contrasts to determine the agreement between the two methods. While there was agreement in interpretation of the data, several discrepancies appeared. The conclusion is that cluster analysis may be a useful way to refine goal theory.