Reliability and validity studies of spherical interest inventory

vABSTRACTRELIABILITY AND VALIDITY STUDIES OF SPHERICAL INTERESTINVENTORYÖmer Ersan ÖZÜTÜRKMaster of Arts Thesis, Department of Educational SciencesSupervisor: Assistant Professor Ragıp ÖZYÜREKJune-2005, 167 PagesIn this study, development of an interest inventory to be used at selectionprocess done by Turkish Air Force Academy is explained (Inventory of SphericalInterests). The spherical model of Personal Globe Inventory (Tracey, 2001), is used asmodel. The inventory that is developed, not only contains basic interest areas, but alsocovers high and low prestige interest areas. Validity and reliability studies is done bythe data gathered from Academy candidates and students.A three step factor analysis is accomplished and by deleting items whichdoes not fit to the criterions and showing low corrected item total corelations, a simpleand stable solution is obtained at the end of third step. Within this three step study,inventory is administered to a total of 997 students. Results of factor analysis revealed16 factors different from Tracey?s (2001).Convergent and divergent validity studies are accomplished by the use ofPF 16 Personality Inventory and Inventory of Spherical Interests. Meaningful positiverelations are obtained between similar constructs and meaningful negative relations areobtained between different constructs.A mechanical interest scale is developed for criterion related validity.Positive relations are obtained between developed mechanical interest scale andsubscales of inventory that is placed at thing pole.Cronbach alfa internal consistency coefficents supported validity ofinventory.Validity and reliability studies demonstrated that Inventory of SphericalInterests is an valid and reliable assessment instrument.viKey Words: Interest, competency belief, vocational preferences, interestinventory.