A validation of the Strong Campbell Interest Inventory as part of the admissions process at the United States Naval Academy

Abstract

The United States Naval Academy's primary focus is to produce quality leaders in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. As part of this effort, they believe good leaders must have the desire and ability to meet the high technical requirements of the duties of a Naval Officer. Therefore, the Academy wants applicants who exhibit not only strong academic and leadership skills, but also a strong interest in technical skills and a desire to select technical majors. The United States Naval Academy believes that using the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) will help meet this admissions goal. This research examines the use of the SII in the admissions process of the United States Naval Academy. The goal is to determine what benefits the instrument provides, specifically in predicting performance and major selection, and how to best use its results in the admissions process. The results supported the predictive validity of the SII relative to major selection, but did not support its validity as a predictor of performance. Its inverse or neutral relationship to performance, though, supports the construct validity of the SII as an interest measure vice an academic or cognitive screening tool. The Strong Interest Inventory technical interest scale's predictive value in regard to major selection can be used to improve the U.S. Naval Academy's admissions process and help admit applicants who meet the demanding technical needs of the Navy.