The concept of a vocational development scheme : including, an outline of vocational development, the development and initial testing of a program for a computer administered vocational interests guide, a survey of perception of vocational interests of school leaving-age children

Abstract

The thesis is an investigation of Vocational Guidance and the use of vocational interests measures. This takes the form of two parts.

Part One presents a view of Vocational Guidance, its place in the economy, and an outline of the framework of Vocational Development. Also presented is the form Guidance and Development should take in the future in New Zealand.

Part Two is an investigation into the use of Vocational Interest measurement. Some confusion exists among administrators as to who to administer such measures. A survey was designed to measure discrepancies between perceived and measured interests, and given to a sample of secondary school pupils. Multiple Regression and Discriminant Analysis showed no strong predictors of the discrepancy from biographical data. One feature of an interests measure which was noted, however, was that, even without feedback, completion of the A.P.U. Interests Guide resulted in a significant change in the measured perception of interests.

The thesis also discusses the adaption of a A.P.U. for computer administration, outlining the development of the program. A small sample showed no real difference in the split-half reliability of the measure after the adaption.