Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate if the South African Career Interest Inventory (SACII) is a reliable and valid measure of vocational interests when an emoji response format is used. This study was conducted in response to a changing environment in which the fourth industrial revolution is fast approaching and different response anchors more aligned with technology may be better suited in career counselling and interest measurement. The SACII has demonstrated good reliability and validity for working adults and students. However, no study has investigated the reliability and validity of the SACII with an emoji response anchor. A total of 222 university students and working adults completed the SACII with a Likert-type scale and the SACII with an emoji scale. The reliability of the interest scale scores was investigated using Cronbach’s alpha, and the structural validity of the model tested using the randomisation test of hypothesised order relations and circumplex covariance structure modelling. Predominantly, the reliability coefficients were within an acceptable range for the six RIASEC types (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) measured in the SACII in both versions, with and without an emoji scale. Some support for the circumplex structure was found within the obtained data, for both the Likert-type and emoji scale, thus supporting previous studies done using the SACII. However, slightly better fit was found for the emoji scale. These results suggest that an emoji response anchor may be a viable alternative to the Likert-type scale within the SACII and potentially other career interest inventories.
M.Com. (Industrial Psychology)