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 career interest inventory, the Chinese Career Key (CCK) adapted from the Career Key based on Holland's theory of vocational choice, was studied. The purpose of the study was to further examine the psychometric qualities and user satisfaction of the CCK by comparing it to the Self-Directed Search. Students at a girls' public high school (N = 130)…

In a women's prison, 31 first-time offenders, 30 probationers, and 31 repeat offenders were compared in terms of dysfunctional career thoughts and career interests. Repeat offenders had significantly less commitment anxiety. Probationers had higher coherence in career aspirations; however, only 13% of the whole group had high coherence. (SK)

The Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) were administered to 110 Black and White non-college-degreed workers in three occupations (laboratory technicians, sales clerks, and clerk-typists) corresponding to three of Holland's environmental categories (Investigative, Enterprising, and Conventional). Findings for…

Findings suggest that a woman will obtain a different Holland code depending on what instrument or what set of scales within an instrument is used to establish that code. This phenomenon could reflect sample characteristics equally as much as any bias in the measures. (Author)

This study, using the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS), explored concurrent validity of Holland's theory for employed non-college-degreed women (N=114). Results revealed three scales of the VPI and five scales of the SDS successfully differentiated occupational groups consistent with Holland's theoretical…

Tested whether differences in the responses of gifted female adolescents (N=284) on Holland's Self Directed Search (SDS) occur as a function of gender schema. Results indicated that SDS scores varied as a function of gender group, but the direction of group differences did not support gender schema theory. (LLL)

Results of this study indicate that those women who took the standard or revised Non-Sexist Vocational Card Sort found a broader range of occupations suggested to them than those who took the Self-Directed Search. Revisions in the instruments in accordance with NIE Guidelines had little effect on scores. (Author/BEF)

Holland's Self-Directed Search was administered to male and female high school students attending state schools in New Zealand. Results imply that the correspondence between some summary codes on the SDS and existing occupational classifications based on Holland's types may be less than perfect, particularly for females. (Author)

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 present study tests the applicability of Carlson's theory for a sample of gifted and talented female adolescents by examining three dimensions of possible self-esteem antecedents: actual talent ratings, self-perceptions of talent, and personality attributes. (Author/LMO)

Determines how the Self-Directed Search (SDS) achieves its effects. High school girls were assessed before and after treatment for vocational aspirations, knowledge of typology, and information seeking. Nonsignificant findings imply that SDS achieves its effects partly because of its numerous occupational options. Instructional booklets increase…

The realistic competency and activity scales of the Self-Directed Search were revised to learn if women's scores on these scales could be increased without reducing their concurrent and construct validity for men and women. Results indicate the revisions increase women's realistic scores, but fail to affect their high point codes. (Author)

This study, using the Vocational Preference Inventory and the Self-Directed Search, explored the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for employed college-degreed Black women. The findings support the validity of Holland's theory for this population. (Author)

Compares impact of the Vocational Exploration and Insight Kit (VEIK) with the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and the Vocational Card Sort (VCS). Results indicate the SDS, VCS, and VEIK have small and similar effects on women's vocational behavior. Findings support counselor-free techniques as appropriate and inexpensive methods of career exploration.…