This research develops and tests a procedure for interpreting individuals' responses in multiscale career assessments, using the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). In Study 1, criteria for ascertaining the credibility of responses were developed, based on the judgments of 39 career-counseling experts. In Study 2, the proposed estimate of the responses' differentiation was validated, using the judgments of 140 experts. In Study 3, the procedure for assessing the relative salience of the difficulties was developed and validated by the judgments of Study 2 experts. In Study 4, criteria for determining the confidence in the interpretive feedback, and the need to add reservations to the feedback provided, were validated by the judgments of Study 1 experts. In Study 5, the four stages of interpretation were implemented, using English and Hebrew versions of the CDDQ and Internet and paper-and-pencil versions. Implications for the interpretation of other multiscale career-related measures are discussed.

Locating clients' career decision‐making difficulties is one of the first steps in career counseling. The authors demonstrate the feasibility and utility of a systematic 4‐stage procedure for locating and interpreting career decision‐making difficulties by analyzing responses of 626 college students (collected by Tai, 2007) to the Career Decision‐making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ; Gati, Krausz, & Osipow, 1996). In addition, the responses of 2 students selected from this group are individually analyzed and interpreted. The procedure makes it possible to map the various career decision‐making difficulties of undergraduate students and tailor the appropriate career counseling intervention to the unique needs of clients.

No abstract

No abstract