The development and validation of an Interest and Skill Inventory on Educational Choices (ISEC)

Abstract

This study aimed at developing and validating a new instrument to facilitate late adolescents and young adults to choose a higher education major. For the main study, the sample consisted of 6,215 late adolescents and young adults (Mage = 19.50, SD = 1.89, 42.3% female). After rational scale construction based on the RIASEC model of Holland (1997), several statistical analyses were conducted. In four studies, structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity were examined. Our analyses showed that adequate structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity were established. A 7-factor structure was found, in which the investigative domain split into two subscales. The overall results suggested that the new instrument is reliable and valid as an orientation instrument in applied settings in secondary and higher education.