Development and Validation of a Work Domain Goal Orientation Instrument

This article describes the development and validation process for an instrument to assess goal orientation (an individual disposition toward developing or validating one's ability in achievement settings). In contrast to previous goal orientation instruments, three goal orientation dimensions are identified (learning, avoid, and prove), and the instrument is domain specific to work settings. The results of exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis (internal consistency and test-retest), confirmatory factor analysis, and nomological network analysis all support the conclusion that the instrument operationalizes the theorized three-dimensional construct.