The Career Decision Survey Technical Manual

Abstract : This report documents work conducted during Phase II of the Modeling the Individual Enlistment Decision project. This project investigates the career decision making process of young adults. Respondents were asked about their beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors regarding career decisions. Three potential career decisions were investigated: obtaining a full-time civilian job, enrolling in college, and enlisting in the Army. This document reviews the survey methodology used for the survey and reports results of the data collection effort. Specifically, the development of the sample frame from two sources (i.e., a civilian sample source and a military-related sample source) is discussed. The development of the survey questionnaire is also discussed. The survey questionnaire content is based on findings from focus groups conducted with young people exploring the career decision-making process and on Fishbein and Ajzen's theory of reasoned action. The specific procedures used for data collection are described, including the processing specifications of the data received in the survey.