What do interest inventories measure? The convergence and content validity of four RIASEC inventories

Most interest inventories aim to measure the same core interest traits based on Holland’s (1997) RIASEC model. Despite the widespread use of RIASEC interest inventories, little is known about the extent to which these inventories actually measure the same core constructs and provide similar career recommendations to individuals. The current study investigates the convergent validity among four major interest inventories—the Self-Directed Search (SDS), the O*NET Interest Profiler (IP), the ACT Interest Inventory (UNIACT), and the Strong Interest Inventory (SII). Three methods were used to analyze different aspects of convergence: 1) correlated trait-correlated methods (CT-CM) model, 2) high-point code agreements, and 3) item content analysis. Results showed that, although RIASEC interest scores from the four inventories were highly correlated, the measures often gave respondents different high point codes that lead to divergent career recommendations. Moreover, item content analysis revealed that while the inventories measure some common basic interest dimensions, they also assess distinct peripheral basic interests. Integrating findings from these three unique perspectives, we put forth practical recommendations for constructing future interest inventories to increase convergence. We also discuss the importance of using multiple methods to investigate convergent validity, especially content analysis which provides foundational guidance for interpreting results from existing interest inventories.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Chu, Chu

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rounds, James

• vocational interests
• measurement
• convergent validity
• content validity

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Chu Chu

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/110607

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/110607