MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY -
At present there is a growing need for empirical information in
the study and career counselling process especially with regard
to the statistical comparison of successful students' aptitudes.
interests and personality profiles in various courses. There
also is a growing demand for data regarding the predictive
validity of the psychometric instruments regularly used. In an
attempt to improve the effectiveness of the counselling process.
mean profiles for three groups of first year students on the
grounds of their mean scores on three psychometric, instruments.
were drawn up and were compared with each other on a statistical
basis. Secondly the predictive validity of each instrument as
well as for two instruments combined was investigated.
AIM OF THE RESEARCH -
Firstly the aim of this study was to compare the three experimental
groups' mean interest aptitude and adaptation profiles as
measured by the 19 Field Interest Inventory (19 FII), the Senior
Aptitude Tests (SAT) and the PHSF Relations Questionnaire on a
statistical basis with each other. in order to detect statistical
differences among the profiles of the three groups.
The second aim of this study can be put as follows:
- To determine the predictive value of each variable (psychometric
instrument) with the criterion (average academical achievement);
- To determine the relation between two of the variables, namely
the 19 Field Interest Inventory and the Senior Aptitude Tests.
combined and the criterion by means of the multiple correlation
technique.
METHOD OF INVESTIGATION -
In the first place, a study of the relevant literature was
undertaken, concerning the concepts of interest, aptitude and
adaptation. Among these attention was especially focused on some
definitions as well as the measurement of each concept.
The psychometric instruments used in this research was discussed
thoroughly regarding their development, contents, reliability and
content and predictive validity.
The sample used in this study consisted of 93 first year students
assigned to the groups in the following way: 33 BA(Communication),
30 BA(Education) and 30 B(Law) students.
Statistical operations were done for the total group by means of a
computer. This included the drawing-up of mean profiles on each
variable for each group as well as the statistical comparison of
these profiles with each other. In the second place multiple
regression was performed.
CONCLUSIONS -
With regard to the first aim of this study, the following can be
concluded:
- The experimental groups' mean interest profiles differed
statistically from each other on the following fields of the
19 FII, namely FII 4 (Historical), FII 5 (Service), FII 7
(Sociability), FII 8 (Public Speaking), FII 9 (Law), FII 10
(Creative Thought), FII 13 (Practical Female) and FII 15
(Business).
- The experimental groups' mean aptitude profiles differed
statistically from each other on one test of the SAT and that
is SAT 1 (Verbal Comprehension).
- The experimental groups' mean adaptation profiles differed
statistically from each other on one component of the PHSF,
namely PHSF 9 (Sociability-S).
With regard to the multiple regression analysis, the following
can be concluded:
- With regard to aptitude, three tests of the SAT with the best
regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication)
group by means of Mallows' CP-regression analysis, namely
Disguised Words, Comparison and Pattern Completion. For the
BA(Education) group four tests of the SAT with the best
regression weights were selected, namely Verbal comprehension,
Calculations, Figure Series and Spatial 3-D. Three tests of
the SAT with the best regression weights were selected for the
B(Law) group, namely Calculations, Pattern Completion and
Memory (Paragraph).
- With regard to interest, four fields of the 19 FII with the
best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication)
group by means of Mallows' CP-regression method, namely
Public Speaking, Science, Numerical and Travel. For the
BA(Education) group six fields of the 19 FII with the best
regression weights were selected, namely Law, Creative Thought,
Business, Clerical, Nature and Sports. Only one field with the
best regression weight was however selected for the BA(Law)
group, namely Business.
- With regard to adaptation, three components of the PHSF
Relations Questionnaire with the best regression weights were
selected for the BA(Communication) group by mean of the same
method, namely Health, Sociability-S and Formal Relations. For
the BA(Education) group two components were selected, namely
Selfcontrol and Nervousness. Four components of the PHSF with
the best regression weights were selected for the B(Law) group,
namely Health, Personal Freedom, Moral Sense and Desirability
Scale.
As for the last aim of this study, namely the determination of the
relation between the 19 FII and the SAT combined, and the criterion,
the following can be concluded:
With regard to the BA(Communication) group, four predictors with
the best regression weights were statistically selected, namely
one test of the SAT (Comparison) and three fields of the 19 FII
(Science, Numerical and Travel).
- As far as the BA(Education) group is concerned, four predictors
with the best regression weights were statistically selected,
namely two tests of the SAT (Verbal Comprehension and Spatial
3-D) and two fields of the 19 FII (Social Work and Creative
Thought).
With regard to the B(Law) group, a combination of twelve
predictors with the best regression weights were selected,
namely four tests of the SAT (Calculations, Figure Series,
Spatial 2-D and Memory Symbols ) and eight fields of the 19 FII
(Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Historical, Service, Creative
Thought, Clerical and Travel).
RECOMMENDATIONS -
It is recommended that more extensive research be undertaken with
successful students in every course of study regarding their
interests, aptitudes, adaptation and personalities, in order to
detect their similarities and differences. In order to increase
the reliability of such findings, it is also recommended that the
size of the experimental groups be increased.
Research should also be undertaken concerning the selection and
composition of relevant test-batteries in order to achieve optimum
prediction of academic achievement. However, the selection of
psychometric tests as used in this study should be extended with at
least a personality test. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1983
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/10328 |
| Date | January 1982 |
| Creators | Röth, Heinrich Wilhelm |
| Publisher | Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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