Assessing person reliability as a measure of the consistency and stability of vocational interest patterns

This study was conducted to examine person reliability within the context of the development of vocational interest patterns in first-year undergraduate students. The Jackson Vocational Interest Survey, Certainty of Vocational Choice Scale, Work Preference Inventory, Factors Involved in Career Decision Making scale and the Career Maturity Inventory were completed in September and then again in January by 110 students. Four indices of person reliability (within-session person reliability at initial testing, within-session person reliability at retesting, across-session person reliability and across-session item change) were calculated from responses to the JVIS. The impact of motivation orientation, certainty of vocational choice and career maturity attitudes on indices of person reliability was examined. An experience-based process of vocational interest development that begins with determining occupational priorities, then becoming certain about them, and then being ready to make career-related decisions was a significant predictor of the consistency of reported interests. Certainty of vocational choice was predicted by motivation orientation and career maturity attitudes. Of practical importance, experience- based processes of vocational interest development and the consistency, stability and certainty with which these interests are reported should be considered in assessment procedures.