We present the PreferenSort, a career counseling instrument that derives counselees' vocational interests from their preferences among occupational titles. The PreferenSort allows for a holistic decision process, while taking into account the full complexity of occupations and encouraging deliberation about one's preferences and acceptable…

The factor structure of Holland's hexagonal model as shown in the Self-Directed Search (SDS) has received extensive attention across the world. The goal in creating the SDS was to equip guidance counselors and services with information about adults' personality types, interests, preferences, and career options. More precisely, the SDS items assess…

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 career interest inventory, the Chinese Career Key (CCK) adapted from the Career Key based on Holland's theory of vocational choice, was studied. The purpose of the study was to further examine the psychometric qualities and user satisfaction of the CCK by comparing it to the Self-Directed Search. Students at a girls' public high school (N = 130)…

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)

Discusses general issues and concerns relative to the adaptation of paper-pencil assessment instruments to computerized formats. Describes and evaluates Self-Directed Search computerized version (SDS-CV). Presents strengths and weaknesses of the SDS-CV and makes recommendations for its use. (Author/ABL)

High school students (n=237) completed the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and Task Specific Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale. A significant relationship between responses to the two instruments supports the validity of the SDS in predicting career self-efficacy. (SK)

Holland's (1973) theory of vocational choice proposes a typology of, and a match between, people and occupations. The Self Directed Search (SDS) can be used to assess people's occupational orientation types. To assess the construct validity of Holland's theory of occupational preferences, 171 female industrial workers participated in a study,…

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…