Defining inventory

An assessment is any tool, framework or model we use to assess 'something' about our clients. For example an online DISC test or a values inventory are assessments. These instruments might be online; on an intranet in a school career software package, or paper-based tests which have to be manually added. They might be large test batteries of close to 200 questions with a counsellor debrief, such as MBTI or HBDI, or they might be ten self-reported questions where the user selects images which most attracts them.

These tools mentioned are "quantitative" assessments. By that we mean - like research - something that calculates based on scores/maths/statistics. Qualitative assessment tools are those such as card sorts, vocational family trees and so forth.

Synonyms for assessments are tools, instruments, surveys, test, inventories, and battery. In this context they are tools for career practice, but they are largely borrowed from elsewhere. 

The term "inventory" may be familiar to us from business or accounting, referring to business assets, or where items are listed ready for sale or disposal. In career practice, it has another meaning. In a case study, the protagonist Sari “considers [her] results of value inventories” (Osborn & Zunker, 2016, p. 2) to assist her career decision-making process. Later, when listing strategies for learning about measurement instruments, the term pops up again. “Search educational journals or even the developer's website for empirical research using that inventory” (p. 3).

A glossary of terms comes to our rescue, defining inventory as: “A questionnaire or checklist, usually in the form of a self-report, designed to elicit non-intellective information about an individual” (Dowd, 2005, p. 15, citing Mitchell, n.d.). We then learn that these inventories can “measure career development, interests, personality, and values” (Osborn & Zunker, 2016, p. 8).

Inventory as a term is an important word for those of us in career practice to learn, as we are continually using self-assessment tools to assist our clients in their decision making.

The power of a word!

Helen & Sam

References:

Dowd, L. R. (2005). Glossary of Terminology for Vocational Assessment, Evaluation and Work Adjustment. https://docplayer.net/11404858-Glossary-of-terminology-for-vocational-assessment-evaluation-and-work-adjustment-edited-and-revised-by-lynn-r-dowd-ed-s.html

Zunker, V. G., & Norris, D. S. (2016). Using Assessment Results for Career Development (9th ed.). Brooks Cole Publishing Company.

* Helen Davies-Martin kindly prepared much of the material for this post