Development of specialization scales for the MSPI: A comparison of empirical and inductive strategies

An empirical measurement model for interest inventory construction uses internal criteria whereas an inductive measurement model uses external criteria. The empirical and inductive measurement models are compared and contrasted and then two models are assessed through tests of the effectiveness and economy of scales for the Medical Specialty Preference Inventory (Zimney, 1979). The empirical results clearly demonstrate the advantages of using an empirical model for occupational interest inventory construction, whether alone or in conjunction with an inductive model. Furthermore, the results indicated that the empirical model may be used to resolve the long-standing problems in constructing predictive inventories for specialty choice within an occupation.