Assessing Vocational Interests: Convergence and Divergence of Inventories and Informants

Abstract

Two studies evaluated the agreement among assessments of vocational interests. Study 1 evaluated the agreement among four interest inventories designed to assess John Holland's (1997) RIASEC vocational types (Strong Interest Inventory, SII; Self-Directed Search, SDS; O*Net Interest Profiler, IP; and Unisex ACT Interest Inventory, UNIACT). The multitrait-multisource matrix was analyzed using Campbell and Fiske's (1959) guidelines and using SEM models designed to evaluate such matrices (Eid, Lischetzke & Nussbeck, 2006). Study 2 evaluated agreement among a target person's SII results, self-ratings and informant (peer/family) ratings of vocational interests. Although Study I correlations generally fit expectations of Holland's model, the inventories produced quite different practical solutions for test-takers' career exploration. Practical implications related to the choice of interest inventory are discussed. Study 2 correlations between others' ratings and SII results approach the level of correlation seen with ratings of personality traits (Funder, Kolar & Blackman, 1995), despite rating form limitations.