Specialty Choice Inventory - Sci59 Online
Help
Getting started
To activate Sci59 Online you will need the password
supplied to you, or available from the postgraduate centre, medical
school, deanery, foundation programme, representative body or service
provider that informed you about the availability of Sci59 Online. (Each
provider of the online career support software has a separate password,
the use of which enables us to learn the preferred modes of access to
Sci59 Online.)
If you would like to complete Sci59 Online and have not been issued
a username and password, please ask whoever is responsible for your
careers advice if they would consider purchasing access to the website.
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Completing the Questionnaire
The computer will present a series of statements in
the form, “I want to work in a specialty where”, followed by a phrase
describing a skill, attribute, attitude or behaviour.
Underneath each question will be 5 option buttons;
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Skip
You select one of the options, using the left click button on the mouse
and click on next.
You can skip up to 5 questions as you complete the questionnaire. These
will be listed on screen and you can go back and answer them at any
stage before leaving the questionnaire. You may opt to leave them unanswered.
You can revisit any question and alter your answer at any time during
the completion stage, by using the ‘previous’ and ‘next’ buttons.
When you are satisfied with your answers, select ‘score test’ and the
results will be calculated. At this point a new page will appear seeking
some demographic data, and some information about your planned career.
This information will be stored with the recommendations to generate
a database of anonymised Sci59 Online usage in order to analyse career
development choices and preferences on a regional or national scale.
This will provide a research resource aimed at improving the provision
and management of career advice. You may opt out of having your results
stored in the national database; they will still be available for your
own use. We hope that you will wish your anonymised data to be part
of a developing resource.
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Results
The results will be stored and you will be able to see
them immediately and when you log in to Sci59 Online on subsequent occasions.
The results are available in four formats and each can be printed, should
you wish.
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Presentation of Results
Your results are presented in four different formats:
‘Top/Bottom Ten’ This is a list of the best and worst matches.
‘Full Listing’ This is a full, rank ordered listing of all the specialties.
‘Comparative Results’ This is a listing of the best matches with indications
of the dimensions showing the closest fit.
‘Graph’ This is a graphical representation of your personal profile
score in each of the 12 dimensions.
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Understanding the Results
The ‘Top/Bottom Ten’ results show quickly which are
the ten best and worst fitting specialties. This list should not be
over interpreted but should be taken as a useful guide. The ‘Full List’
ranks every Specialty in Sci59 according to your profile. (This is especially
useful if your graph shows that you do not have clearly dominant dimensions.)
The ‘Graph’ shows your attributes and skills against those of the ‘average
doctor’. The average of all doctors’ responses is represented as ‘50’
on the graph and each 10 units represent 1 standard deviation from the
mean. A score of ‘30’ or ‘70’ demonstrates a dominant dimension in your
profile. This will influence the recommendations provided by the programme
because such dominant characteristics will weight the matching algorithm
in the software. Interpretation of a profile with one, or more, high
or low scores is relatively straightforward. Scores closer to ‘50’ are
actually more normal and more difficult to interpret. Because there
are no dominant dimensions, the specialties recommended will be those
that require close to mean characteristics and there will actually be
a very large number of specialties that would suit the individual. In
these circumstances, the full list of rank ordered specialties is probably
the most suitable output to work with. Any specialty in the top half
of the list is probably worthy of further investigation. Each dimension
has an approximate description to assist you to understand the cluster
of skills and attributes that contribute. This can be seen by rolling
the mouse over the Dimensions on the left hand side of the graph. The
‘Comparative Results’ page shows the three most significant dimensions
for the computer’s choice of the top ten specialties. It is best understood
in conjunction with the graphical results. A fuller explanation of the
development of Sci59 is provided on the ‘About Sci59’ page. The Help
feature and the Exit button are available at all times.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who should use Sci59 Online?
The system is centred around the needs of doctors between
2 and 3 years from qualification but it is still useful on either side
of its centre. Medical students and consultants have found it useful.
What can I expect to gain from using Sci59 Online?
Everyone has to make their own career choices. This
can be difficult for some and is time consuming for many. Sci59 Online
can help to narrow the search by highlighting the specialties that fit,
or fail to fit, your personal set of needs and attributes. Because it
covers all current specialties, Sci59 may alert you to the potential
of one that you have not encountered so far in training. It is, however,
only the starting point and more research will be needed to understand
the training routes and the availability of places to train.
Should I share the results with my tutors?
This is predominantly a personal matter. There can be
many benefits from discussing career choices with your tutors who often
have knowledge and contacts that can help. Some organisations may use
Sci59 Online as part of an integrated approach to career choice and
may expect the recommendations to be discussed with an appropriate person.
Can I fail Sci59 Online?
No! Sci59 Online is not a test or assessment in any
sense. The programme matches your profile to those of specialties in
a mechanical and dispassionate fashion. It is irrelevant that Sci59
may not recommend you to investigate a career as a brain surgeon or
a GP, for example.
Will Sci59 Online solve all my problems with career selection?
Sci59 Online is only a contribution to the career choice
challenge and many other agencies and people will play a part in shaping
the final outcome. Families, friends, colleagues, tutors, officials,
formal and informal information sources all play a part, too!
How often should I complete it?
Your username will allow 4 uses. An annual career review
is recommended, even just to confirm present choices. Some may prefer
6 monthly updates, particularly if important milestones are approaching.
Can I see my previous results?
Yes. The user number allows 4 sets of results to be
stored. These can be accessed by entering your password.
Are my results secure?
There are security systems within the software to protect
the security of data. Each user can define their own password.
Who sees my results?
You and anyone you show them to. To improve career advice
and career choice for the benefit of future trainees, anonymised data
about you will be stored with your Sci59 Online results on the database.
Your identity will not be stored. You have the opportunity to opt out
of this data collection process, should you have objections. This anonymised
data will be available to reputable bodies for research purposes.
How long does it take to complete the survey?
Around 15 minutes, obviously this depends how long you
spend thinking about each question.
Do I have to answer all 130 questions?
The programme allows you to skip up to 5 questions;
you can answer them later on in the survey or leave them unanswered.
What should I do if I am interrupted?
You can exit the survey at any point and return to it
the next time that you log on. Only completed surveys will count towards
the four uses allowed by your password.
How many times will I be able to complete the survey?
Your password will normally allow you to complete the
survey four times. (The organisation issuing the password will be able
to tell you how long your password will be active for).
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