Adaptation and implementation of the Rothwell-Miller Interest Blank

Abstract

The aim of this study was to adapt an existing but extremely dated interest questionnaire, the RothwellMiller Interest Blank (RMIB). In the first phase, four provinces were selected purposively: one urban and three rural or semirural. Secondly, a purposeful sample of 518 Grade 11 learners in eight schools was selected (mean age [x] Male = 17.52 years, Female = 17.39 years; standard deviation[s] Male = 0.97 years, female = 0.93), divided according to medium of instruction (Afrikaans/English) and area (urban/rural/semirural area). Statistical analyses included determining of reliability by calculating Cronbach’s α and the split-half reliability. The data was further analysed by means of statistical techniques including t-test, ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD. Results are discussed and the study concludes that although the adapted questionnaire could be a valuable instrument for use in South Africa, further research is required.