The Development of a Non-Reading Inventory: The Cannon Picture Interest

Abstract

Dr. John Holland’s theory of career development (1959, 1966, 1973a, 1985(a) 1985(b) and1997) is a developmental theory based on the fit of an individual’s personality to the work environment. He has developed several instruments to test these personality types related to his theory, most notably the Holland Self Directed Search (SDS); however, all his tests require that a subject read at a 4th grade or higher reading level. There are 63 million Americans functioning at or below the basic level of literacy as defined by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (US.NAAL, 2003). This paper presents the development of a non-reading interest inventory, The Cannon Picture Interest Inventory (CPII). The study was designed to develop both Form A and B of the CPII and analyze the test to determine whether it is a valid and reliable measure. The study evaluated: (a) whether a significant positive relationship existed between the three highest occupational group scores obtained on Form A and the three highest occupational group scores obtained on Form B of the CPII when administered to the same group of individuals, and whether a significant positive relationship existed between the three highest occupational group scores obtained on the Summary code of the Holland Self Directed Search and Form A or Form B of the CPII when administered to the same group of individuals. Results of this initial study confirm that the CPII is reliable and valid. An analysis of the raw data indicated strong positive correlation between the Cannon Picture Interest Inventory and the Holland Self Directed Search. Reliability was determined by correlating the CPII scores of Form A to the scores of Form B. A crosstabs analysis utilizing Cramer’s V indicated a significantly strong positive relationship. Validity was determined by comparing scores on the CPII to the Holland Self –Directed Search. A strong relationship was shown between the scores obtained on Form A and Form B of the CPII when administered to non-readers. The scores obtained on Form A and Form B of the CPII when compared to the scores of the Holland Self Directed Summary Codes yielded a strong relationship.