This report reviews the literature on noncognitive and other background predictors (e.g., personality, attitudes, and interests) as it pertains to graduate education. The first section reviews measures typically used in studies of graduate school outcomes, such as attrition and time to degree. A review of qualities faculty members and…

The literature provides evidence of links between measures of personality and vocational interests as theorized by Holland. Personality and interest assessments offer critical information for predicting career success. Personality assessment reflects the individual viewed by an observer and interest measurement reflects the individual's…

Reviews relationships of vocational interests with vocational-relevant variables (ability, success, and satisfaction). Results indicate no correlations between interests and actual relevant abilities and performance, but that a positive relationship exists with satisfaction. Suggests cognitive functions may mediate between actual abilities,…

This article offers a review of the major literature about attitudes to science and its implications over the past 20 years. It argues that the continuing decline in numbers choosing to study science at the point of choice requires a research focus on students' attitudes to science if the nature of the problem is to be understood and remediated.…