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)

This study compared outcome of individual, multiple, and programmed modes of test interpretation of four different vocational tests with content held constant across treatments. Subjects in the individual condition scored significantly higher than subjects in either of the other two conditions on perceived effectiveness of test interpretation.…

This study investigated the relationship between cognitive style, occupational preference, and learning modes. Kolb's Revised Learning Style Inventory (1985), the Group Embedded Figures Test, and the Vocational Choice Inventory were administered to 111 undergraduate students. (Author/GDC)

Analyzed seven career guidance instruments to determine the proportion of nontraditional and traditional occupations for women included in them. Results indicated the proportion of nontraditional female occupations represented ranged from 32 to 75 percent. Implications for career counseling for women are given. (Author/BL)

Assessed the utility of the premarital inventory, PREPARE, in predicting marital success. Conducted a three-year follow-up study with couples (N=164) who took PREPARE during their engagement. Found that the PREPARE scores from three months before marriage could predict with 80-90% accuracy which couples were separated and divorced from those that…

Explored the relationship of participation in school activities to the multiple abilities and interests of high school students (N=900). Results showed that the degree of relationship was generally low, generally higher for the males than for the females, and higher for interests than for abilities. (LLL)

A test of Holland's vocational theory across and within selected occupational groups demonstrated concurrent validity for three of the four groups investigated. Statistically significant coefficients of concordance indicated a degree of agreement among individuals in each of the occupational groups investigated. (Author)

This study examines the effectiveness of sex-balanced and sex-restrictive raw score interest scales in discriminating among vocational preference groups. Analyses were conducted separately for 502 males in six vocational preference groups and 878 females in five vocational preference groups. Differences may restrict career suggestions provided to…

Factor analyses of item correlations for 488 men indicated the presence of 14 dimensions of interest. An analysis of the correlations among the factor scores revealed four higher level factors named People-Related, Mechanical and Symbol Manipulation, Personal Expression and the Arts, and Outdoor Activities. The 14 content scales developed were…

Statistically significant relationships were found between dropping out and occupation and between dropping out and the accuracy of the SVIB. Such relationships may influence results of follow-up studies on the validity of the SVIB. (Author)

A group of 44 undergraduates was administered the Personal Orientation Inventory under different instructions to fake good'' toward two expectations. Results indicated that scores were significantly affected in the hypothesized directions. Earlier findings about the effect of dissimulation on PO1 scores were equivocal and conclusions expressed…

Reports the results of a study to test an instrument which was designed to evaluate science interest. The instrument was fashioned from the scales of evaluation, potency, and activity from Osgood's Semantic Differential, and is presented in its entirety in the appendix. (JR)

Interest inventories are among the most complex tests to report because of the large number of scores reported. The major purpose of the SVIB W report described here is to present results clearly and in such a way as to alleviate the need for further explanation. (Author/BY)

The amount of variance in the relationship between measures of educational and vocational interests leads to a quandary about how to counsel students. Counselors should be aware that interest scores provide clients with only one source of information necessary for the decision process. (Author)