Two approaches to interest inventory validation are considered. The choice between the two depends on the use being validated. The first approach assumes that interest inventories are to be used in predicting which occupations counselees will enter or prefer. The second assumes that interest inventories are to used in suggesting occupations for…

Examines "g supposition"--that general cognitive ability (g) is sufficient as descriptor of work-relevant abilities. Reviews 34 studies and reports new research on relevance of 14 cognitive and noncognitive abilities to 6 job clusters. Studies cited and reported indicated that "g" is insufficient as descriptor of work-relevant abilities.…

The extent to which interest profile level reflects response style is reported for 23 diverse samples (10 interest inventories; N=53,429). Validity data were used to determine whether profile level is relevant to career counseling. Response styles and level of interest results are discussed. Five suggestions for practice are presented. (Author/EMK)

This study determined the validity of vocational interest scores for persons with high, medium, and low levels of experience appropriate to their predominant interests. The experiences and interests of a national sample of 1,380 young adults were assessed concurrently with scales paralleling Holland's types. The degree of congruence between…

This paper considers some appropriate and inappropriate uses of coefficient kappa and alternative kappa-like statistics. Discussion is restricted to the descriptive characteristics of these statistics for measuring agreement with categorical data in studies of reliability and validity. (Author)

Conducted study to examine validity of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Form 14 (ASVAB-14) composites and validity of new ASVAB-14 Job Cluster Scales developed by American College Testing Program for use in computer-based career planning system, DISCOVER. Found ASVAB-14 had serious limitations for career counseling. (NB)

This study sought to determine whether self-estimates of work-relevant abilities can improve upon the validity of test estimates (scores). Validity for career planning applications was the focus. The study (final sample of 1,620 college students) used 9 self-estimates and test estimates to predict certainty-screened occupational choices grouped by…

The 51 occupations pursued by 3,612 college graduates were located throughout Holland's hexagon by weighting scores from the Unisex Edition of the ACT Interest Inventory. A Hexagon Congruence Index developed to measure person-occupation congruence can be used with any combination of Holland types. (SK)

Describes two studies comparing the criterion-related validity of sex-balanced ("unisex") interest inventory scales. Results indicate that psychometrically sound interest inventories can be constructed with sex-balanced items, and counselors may use inventories which provide sex-balanced score reports without sacrificing validity.…

Six interest measures and 15 ability measures were administered to 2,101 high school seniors in 19 vocational-technical schools. Computer-based score interpretation would have referred approximately 80 percent of satisfied/successful students to job cluster containing vocational program they completed. Results indicated that computer-based…

Examined validity data for 50 criterion groups (N=9,256) to determine which reporting procedure, i.e., raw scores or normed scores, provided better agreement between the occupations pursued by the criterion group members and their predominant interests. Analyses suggested that normed scores were more valid than raw scores. (RC)

Sex-restrictive and sex-balanced interest scores obtained before college were compared for college seniors using the Holland interest/personality types as criteria. Results suggest that sex-balanced interest scores are more valid than sex-restrictive scores across four years of college. Implications for practitioners are noted. (Author)

Recent research is summarized on interest assessment procedures as it bears on the issue of sex restrictiveness. Studies documenting sex restrictiveness in widely used interest inventories are cited, and alternatives to sex-restrictive interest assessment are suggested. Separate consideration is given to basic interest scales and to occupational…

The construct validity of vocational interest test scores was examined by finding the interest profiles of 15,447 college students in 51 majors. Standard scores based on same-sex norms were found to be more valid on this criterion than were raw scores. (CTM)

A procedure for using the interest scores of occupational group members to locate (map) occupations on Holland's (1969, 1971) hexagon is described. The procedure locates occupations throughout the hexagon--not just at six points. Score profiles for Holland's six types were obtained from administration of the Unisex Edition of the ACT Interest…