Proposes that, while there may be real sex differences in vocational interests, Gottfredson's reanalysis of Self-Directed Search predictive data provides no support for the counseling use of sex-divergent raw interest scores. (RC)

Investigates: (1) the ability of the Canadian Occupational Interest Inventory (COII) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) to discriminate among Grade 12 students; (2) inter-scale correlations of these measures; and (3) relationships between the student groups' interest patterns and external reference points. Findings indicate the scales discriminate…

In an evaluation of the Self-Directed Search (SDS), a self-administered vocational counseling experience based on Holland's theory of vocational choice and his occupational classification, a total of 1,092 students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in four high schools were divided into three treatment groups. One group took the regular, published…

The purpose of this study was to provide test-retest reliability data for Holland's Self Directed Search for Educational and Vocational Planning (SDS). Sixty-five subjects were administered the SDS 7-10 months after they completed it during freshman orientation. Results indicated little change in summary codes obtained by subjects. Median…

Holland hypothesized that personality pattern consistency is related to vocational satisfaction, stability, and success. The viability of this key construct in Holland's theory of careers is examined in light of the expected relationship between level of consistency and frequency of occurrence of 2-letter Holland personality codes. Results are…

The author reviews the evidence for the beneficial effects of the Self-Directed Search (SDS), indicates that Hanson and Prediger have misinterpreted the theory, that their evidence is misleading, and that other evidence indicates that males and females of the same type are similar. The virtues of raw scores are summarized. (Author)

Preliminary use of the Self Directed Search (SDS) led to the speculation that some people were very dissatisfied with their results and others were quite pleased. Of the 4,631 incoming freshmen at the University of Maryland who completed the SDS, 485 were extremely dissatisfied with their results. The codes for these groups were compared using…

This special issue includes the following: "Introduction"; "Interest Inventories: Which One, Why, and for Whom?"; "Recent Reports from the Committee to Screen Career Guidance Instruments"; "Assessment of Career Specialty Interests in Business and Medicine"; "Using Career Interest Inventories with…

Two self-administered, self-scored, and self-interpreted career interest inventories used by adolescents and adults are described, the Self-Directed Search and its Form Easy, an adaptation for poor readers. The paper discusses test components, subtests, and theory; gender issues; interpretation; appropriateness; coding discrepancies; and…

This paper offers some suggestions and cautions concerning the use of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII). A rationale for separate scoring of interest and ability sections of the SDS is provided, i.e., that correlations between interest and abilities and between abilities and vocational satisfaction…

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…