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 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)

Tested whether scores on the Self Directed Search relate to career development needs in a study of 138 college students. Findings showed the scores related differentially in ways predicted by Holland (1973) and supported probing whether college students earning low investigative scores were behind in their career development. (JAC)

Discriminant analysis of Holland's Self Directed Search and Vocational Preference Inventory significantly improved the predictive validity of his classification scheme, over the traditional method of assigning high point codes. These results were obtained with both an initial and a replication sample of undergraduates pursuing various degrees. The…

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…

The Work Values Inventory and Self-Directed Search were used to predict retention of students in office occupation majors at Utah Valley Community College. The predictive model distinguished among students either retained (graduated, on-track, and "jobbed-out") and noncompleters. Noncompletion was correctly predicted for about 73 percent…

Graduating seniors in the School of Business who were in either accounting, marketing, or behavioral studies and were seeking a career consistent with their area's concentration were compared for their scores on the Self-Directed Search. The accounting group was consistently differentiated from the other group. (Author)

Tests Holland's assertion that stability of vocational choice can be predicted from: (a) congruence of personality with chosen career; (b) differentiation of personality; and (c) internal consistency of personality characteristics. The relationship of three constructs to stability of choice of college major was studied among 167 university…

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…