The predictive validity of the investigative scale of the Career Assessment Inventory

The predictive validity of the Investigative (Holland, 1973) scale of the General Theme Scales of the Career Assessment Inventory (CAI) (Johansson, 1975) was assessed in a group of 160 male senior secondary school students. The criterion was the choice of a science or technology college or university program at the conclusion of Grade 12. Students were administered the CAI at the beginning of Grade 10, and criterion data were collected about three years later. During the initial assessment, data were also collected on IQ, Educational Orientation, and the subjects studied in Grades 11 and 12. The correlation between Investigative scale score and the choice of a science/technology versus other programs was r = .46. The decomposition of effects in a multiple regression analysis using all the available data showed that the direct effect of investigative interests on the criterion was second only to the actual subjects studied in Grade 12. The results support the predictive validity of the scale and indicate its unique contribution to that prediction in the context of the other variables.