Based on the standard error of measurement, Holland (1985) suggested the "rule of eight" for determining the meaningfulness of differences between two summary scores on the Self Directed Search. The present study empirically examined the rule's validity for practice. The participants were 2397 (1497 females and 900 males) undergraduate…

A sample of male Investigative subjects (N=171) who completed the SDS as freshmen in 1970 was sent a questionnaire four years later. Results indicated that, for Investigative-type freshman males, the SDS has moderately high efficiency in predicting, four years later, their ultimate major and their immediate and future vocational plans. (Author)

Empirical relations of scores for similar and same-named scales on five interest inventories were examined. Analysis of multitrait/multimethod matrices found modest correlations and convergent and discriminant validity. Homogenous scales correlated higher than heterogenous scales. Results support the assertion that inventories are only partial…

Results of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) completed by 305 male and 395 female students supported the convergent and discriminant validity of the SDS and of a hierarchically nested structural model. Contradictory conclusions were reached about construct validity. (SK)

This study, using the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS), explored concurrent validity of Holland's theory for employed non-college-degreed women (N=114). Results revealed three scales of the VPI and five scales of the SDS successfully differentiated occupational groups consistent with Holland's theoretical…

Results showed strong empirical support for the model in that most subjects were working in environments congruent with their personality types. However, there was a lack of empirical support for the proposed relatedness among the environments in the model with regard to person-environment congruence. (Author)

This study was designed to investigate the differential effectiveness of Holland's Self Directed Search (SDS) as a vocational guidance tool for 166 junior-class students in a suburban regional high school. Congruence scores were developed for each student and were then compared to four variables. Results are discussed. (Author/EJT)

Self Directed Search (SDS) raw score and same-sex normed standard score codes were obtained on a sample of 16- to 18-year-old New Zealand high school students. The 59 boys and 59 girls who showed differences in the first letter of their codes rated the attractiveness of selected DOT job descriptions. (Author)

Examined validity of self-estimates of ability on a vocational interest measure (Self-Directed Search). Correlated self-ratings of 149 female undergraduates with well-validated measures of abilities corresponding to each of Holland's six interest domains. Found higher correlations between self-ratings of abilities and objective measures than for…

This study, using the Vocational Preference Inventory and the Self-Directed Search, explored the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for employed college-degreed Black women. The findings support the validity of Holland's theory for this population. (Author)

The study was designed to explore two areas: (1) the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for employed college degreed women using two different operational definitions (Vocational Preference Inventory and the Self-Directed Search) of vocational orientation; and (2) the relationships among same named scales across the VPI and the SDS. (Author)

Proposes a measure to evaluate the agreement between Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) and occupational preference with students (N=42) seeking vocational guidance. Results showed that the proposed index of agreement is applicable to the SDS and to any situation where ranked (ordinal) data is partially recorded. (LLL)

The scales of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) were correlated with the scales of the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) for a sample of 192 high school girls. The two devices have small to moderate correlations that indicate self-reported abilities and competencies have some concurrent validity. (Author)

Investigated the predictive efficiency of Holland's Self-Directed Search. In 1974, 126 vocationally undecided high school seniors were asked to express a career choice or indecision. A 1978 survey showed only 27 percent chose a career area not predicted by their 1974 SDS results. (Author)

The Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) were administered to 102 Black women workers in occupational environments consistent with Holland's six vocational environments. Four scales in each test successfully differentiated the occupational groups, supporting the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for…