Predictive validity of a biographical inventory in higher education

Abstract

SCORES ON THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENT RECORD, DEVELOPED BY J. HOLLAND AND R. NICHOLS (SEE 38:5) PREDICTED PROFESSIONAL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OF 102 DENTAL STUDENTS. THESE ACTIVITIES INVOLVED LEADERSHIP, SIMULATED PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS, AND RESEARCH. 3 HYPOTHESES WERE TESTED: (1) STUDENTS SEEKING CANDIDACY FOR CLASS OFFICE IN THE 1ST-YR CLASS ELECTION HAVE HIGHER SCORES THAN NONCANDIDATES ON THE LEADERSHIP SCALE OF THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENT RECORD (P < .05); (2) STUDENTS GIVING TABLE CLINICS AT THE STUDENT AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION DAY HAVE HIGHER SCORES THAN NONPARTICIPANTS ON THE TOTAL SCALE OF THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENT RECORD (P < .001); AND (3) STUDENTS APPLYING FOR SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS HAVE HIGHER SCORES THAN NONAPPLICANTS ON THE SCIENTIFIC SCALE OF THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENT RECORD (P < .001). EACH HYPOTHESIS SUPPORTED THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE BIOGRAPHICAL INVENTORY. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)