This study investigated differences between men and women employed in traditional male occupations using the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS). Results indicate men in traditionally male occupations, when compared to women in those same occupations, tend not to report higher mean raw scale scores. (Author)

Modification of instructions to the Activities and Competencies section of Holland's Self-Directed Search to allow users more flexibility in responding to items was compared to the standard set of instructions. Results indicated modified instructions did significantly alter users' summary codes although users were not more satisfied. (Author)

Holland types characterizing 34 occupational groups are reported for Self-Directed Search (SDS) standard scores. Results are compared with the Holland types obtained raw scores. Results imply that SDS standard scores are more accurate than raw scores in describing the Holland types of occupational groups. (Author)

The Self-Directed Search for Educational and Vocational Planning (SDS) is a self-scoring, self-administering instrument designed by John L. Holland, author of the Vocational Reference Inventory. Preliminary use of the SDS led to the speculation that some people were very dissatisfied with their results and others were quite pleased. Of the 4,631…

The Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) were administered to 102 Black women workers in occupational environments consistent with Holland's six vocational environments. Four scales in each test successfully differentiated the occupational groups, supporting the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for…

Self Directed Search (SDS) and Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) results occupations and fields of study were organized to show the distributions of personalities within an occupation or field of study. The results show that single fields tolerate several types, but some types occur only infrequently. (Author)

The widely divergent career options suggested to men and women by the Self-Directed Search (SDS) raw scores are noted and misunderstandings concerning the implications of Holland's assessment procedures for his theory are discussed. Holland's defense of raw score reports of personality characteristics is found wanting especially in light of the…

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)