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…

Assessed predictability of Holland's Investigative personality--Self-Directed Search (SDS)--and three consistency levels over seven-year period. Results indicated that for Investigative-type males, SDS has moderately high efficiency in predicting actual job entry, graduate major, and ideal and projected career plans. Differential predictability of…

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)

Investigated the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for college-educated Black working men using two different definitions of vocational orientation. In general, the findings indicate that, consistent with Holland's theory, the Vocational Preference Inventory scales and the Self Directed Search scales tend to effectively discriminate among…

The realistic competency and activity scales of the Self-Directed Search were revised to learn if women's scores on these scales could be increased without reducing their concurrent and construct validity for men and women. Results indicate the revisions increase women's realistic scores, but fail to affect their high point codes. (Author)

Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) protocols were used with at-risk Hispanic female and male adolescents were examined to determine their sensitivity to this population. The SDS was completed by 89 at-risk Hispanic students (49 females and 33 males) in grade 9 at a nontraditional school for students who have been deemed at risk for gang and…