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What are selection techniques often referred to as?
Predictors
Predictors are methods used to evaluate candidates for job performance.
Name three common predictors used in organizations.
- Interviews
- General mental ability tests
- Personality tests
Other predictors include integrity tests, work samples, assessment centers, and biographical information.
What distinguishes structured interviews from unstructured interviews?
Structured interviews ask all interviewees the same questions derived from job analysis
Unstructured interviews allow interviewers to ask any questions and may not standardize across candidates.
Which type of interview has been found to have the same average validity coefficient as unstructured interviews?
Structured interviews
Recent studies show both types have an average validity coefficient of .58.
What is the best predictor of job performance according to recent findings?
General mental ability tests
These tests have been found to be the most valid predictors, followed by structured and unstructured interviews.
What assumption do behavioral interviews rely on?
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior
Behavioral interviews focus on candidates’ past job-related situations.
What do situational interviews focus on?
Hypothetical future situations
Situational interviews ask candidates how they would respond to scenarios they may face in the job.
True or False: Behavioral interviews have consistently been found to be the better predictors of job performance over situational interviews.
False
Recent meta-analyses indicate that situational questions may be more valid predictors than behavioral questions.
Fill in the blank: When behavioral and situational interview questions are assessed under the same conditions, _____ questions are more valid predictors of job performance.
situational
This suggests that intentions may be more predictive of future behaviors than past behaviors.
What are integrity tests used for?
To predict whether an applicant is likely to engage in counterproductive behaviors
Integrity tests assess the likelihood of dishonesty and theft among applicants.
What are the two basic types of integrity tests?
- Overt integrity tests
- Personality-based integrity tests
Overt tests ask directly about dishonesty, while personality-based tests assess traits linked to counterproductive behaviors.
Do integrity tests have an adverse impact on racial/ethnic minorities?
No
Integrity tests do not seem to disadvantage racial/ethnic minorities.
Which type of integrity test is a better predictor of counterproductive behaviors?
Overt integrity tests
Overt integrity tests directly inquire about dishonesty and theft.
Which type of integrity test is a better predictor of job performance?
Personality-based integrity tests
These tests assess personality traits linked to job performance.
What was the rank of integrity tests in terms of validity among selection methods according to Schmidt, Oh, and Shaffer’s meta-analysis?
Fourth most valid method
This ranking follows general mental ability tests, interviews, and job knowledge tests.
What combination of tests produced the greatest gain in validity?
General mental ability test combined with an integrity test
This combination yields the highest incremental validity.
What do work samples require applicants to do?
Perform on-the-job tasks or activities in realistic conditions
Work samples simulate actual job tasks to evaluate applicant performance.
How did Schmidt and Hunter’s meta-analysis (1998) compare the validity of work samples to general mental ability tests?
Work samples had a slightly higher validity coefficient
This indicates work samples were initially seen as more valid than general mental ability tests.
What trend was noted in the more recent meta-analysis by Schmidt, Oh, & Shaffer (2016) regarding work samples?
Lower validity coefficient compared to general mental ability tests
The decline in validity may be due to the broader application of work samples beyond manual skilled jobs.
What are trainability work sample tests useful for?
Determining if inexperienced applicants are likely to benefit from training
These tests assess both training and evaluation for novice applicants.
What is a realistic job preview (RJP)?
Informing job applicants about the positive and negative aspects of the job
RJPs aim to set realistic job expectations to reduce turnover.
What are assessment centers primarily used for?
To evaluate candidates for managerial-level jobs
Assessment centers utilize multiple raters and methods to assess performance.
What methods are commonly used in assessment centers?
- Personality tests
- Ability tests
- Structured interviews
- Simulations (work samples)
These methods provide a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.
What is the purpose of the in-basket exercise in assessment centers?
To assess decision-making skills
Participants respond to memos, phone messages, and other communications similar to on-the-job situations.
What does the leaderless group discussion evaluate?
The leadership potential of participants
A small group works together to solve a job-related problem without an assigned leader.
What is a biodata form?
A measure of biographical information chosen for predicting job performance
Also known as biographical information blank (BIB).
What types of information does biodata typically include?
- Education
- Work history
- Family history
- Health history
- Interests
- Social relationships
Items are empirically derived and may be presented in a multiple-choice format.
How has biodata been shown to predict job performance?
It has been found to be a good predictor for a variety of jobs, including unskilled and managerial/executive-level jobs
Reference: Schmidt, Oh, & Shaffer, 2016.
What is a disadvantage of biodata measures?
Some items may lack face validity
Applicants might view these items as irrelevant or an invasion of privacy.
True or False: Biodata items are always perceived as relevant to job performance by applicants.
False
Some applicants may refuse to answer items they consider irrelevant.
What are the two types of methods for combining information obtained from multiple predictors?
Compensatory and noncompensatory methods
Compensatory methods allow high scores on some predictors to offset low scores on others, while noncompensatory methods do not.
What is a compensatory method in the context of selection techniques?
A method where a high score on one or more predictors can compensate for a low score on another predictor
Examples include clinical prediction and multiple regression.
What is clinical prediction in the context of hiring decisions?
A method relying on the subjective judgment of decision makers regarding job requirements
It is susceptible to biases and errors, making it less accurate than statistical methods.
What is a major disadvantage of clinical prediction?
It is susceptible to biases and errors
Studies have confirmed that statistical methods are more accurate for predicting job performance.
What is multiple regression in selection techniques?
A statistical method for combining scores, where each predictor is weighted based on its correlations
The weighted scores are combined to estimate a criterion score.
What are noncompensatory methods in selection techniques?
Methods where a low score on one predictor cannot be compensated for by a high score on another predictor
Examples include multiple cutoff and multiple hurdles.
What is the multiple cutoff method?
A method where all predictors are administered to all applicants, and each must score above a cutoff to be considered
This ensures that all predictors are evaluated.
What is the multiple hurdles method?
A method where predictors are administered in a prespecified order and each must meet the cutoff to proceed
It is preferable when it is too costly to administer all predictors to all applicants.
When is the multiple hurdles method preferable to multiple cutoff?
When it would be too costly to administer all of the predictors to all applicants
This method allows for a more efficient selection process.
Can multiple cutoff and multiple hurdles be combined with multiple regression?
Yes, they can be combined by using multiple regression to predict the criterion scores of applicants who score above the cutoff
This allows for a more refined selection process.
What must be evaluated before using a new selection technique for hiring decisions?
Adequate reliability and validity, increase decision-making accuracy, no adverse impact, adequate utility
Define reliability in the context of predictors.
The degree to which a predictor is free from measurement error and provides consistent scores
What does a reliability coefficient indicate?
Ranges from 0 to 1.0; closer to 1.0 indicates less measurement error and greater consistency
What is validity in the context of predictors?
The extent to which a predictor measures what it was designed to measure
List the three main types of validity.
- Content validity
- Construct validity
- Criterion-related validity
What does content validity assess?
The extent to which a predictor adequately samples the knowledge or skills it’s intended to measure
How can content validity be ensured?
By basing it on job analysis results and having subject matter experts review the content
What does construct validity measure?
The extent to which a predictor measures the hypothetical trait it was designed to measure
How is construct validity assessed?
By correlating scores on the predictor with scores on valid measures of the same, similar, and different constructs
What does criterion-related validity evaluate?
The degree to which scores on the predictor correlate with scores on the criterion
What is the range of the criterion-related validity coefficient?
From -1.0 to +1.0; closer to 0 indicates lower criterion-related validity
Define incremental validity.
The increase in decision-making accuracy by adding a new selection technique to the existing selection procedure
Under what conditions is a predictor likely to increase decision-making accuracy?
When its criterion-related validity coefficient is large
What is the selection ratio?
The percent of job applicants the company plans to hire, calculated by dividing the number of hires by total applicants
What does a low selection ratio indicate?
More applicants to choose from; for example, a selection ratio of .10 means one of ten applicants will be hired
Define base rate in the context of selection procedures.
The percent of employees hired using the current selection procedure who are considered successful
What base rate is associated with the greatest increase in decision-making accuracy?
A moderate base rate, around .50
What are the Taylor-Russell tables used for?
To estimate a predictor’s incremental validity for various combinations of criterion-related validity coefficients, base rates, and selection ratios
Fill in the blank: A predictor’s criterion-related validity coefficient of .30, a base rate of .50, and a selection ratio of .10 indicates that _______ of hired employees will be successful.
71%
What is the increase in successful employees when the new predictor is added with the given conditions?
21% increase in successful employees
What is adverse impact?
A type of unfair discrimination where a personnel selection method negatively affects protected group members compared to majority group members
Also referred to as disparate impact.
What are the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures?
Guidelines adopted in 1978 by the EEOC to address adverse impact in employee selection.
These guidelines include interpretations and clarifications from 1979.
Define test unfairness.
Occurs when one group consistently scores lower on a selection test without corresponding differences in job performance.
For example, women may score lower on tests despite similar job performance ratings as men.
What is differential validity?
When a selection test has significantly different validity coefficients for different groups.
For instance, a test might have a validity coefficient of .70 for men and .20 for women.
What is the 80% rule?
A method to determine adverse impact where the hiring rate for a protected group is less than 80% of the majority group’s hiring rate.
Example: If White applicants have a 70% hiring rate, African-American applicants must have at least 56%.
What options does an employer have when a selection test shows adverse impact?
- Replace the procedure
- Modify the procedure
- Demonstrate no alternative exists and that the procedure is job-related
Job-relatedness can be established through validity, business necessity, or bona fide occupational qualification.
What is job-relatedness in employment procedures?
Established by showing the procedure is valid, a business necessity, or a bona fide occupational qualification.
Validity can be criterion-related, content, or construct.
What is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)?
A qualification necessary for normal business operations, applicable to gender, age, religion, and national origin, but not race.
For example, a religious school may require faculty to be members of its denomination.
What is utility analysis?
A method for evaluating the economic return on investment of human resource interventions like staffing and training.
Commonly cited formula: Brogden-Cronbach-Gleser formula.
List the factors considered in the Brogden-Cronbach-Gleser formula.
- Number of individuals hired
- Test’s validity coefficient
- Standard deviation of job performance in dollars
- Cost of testing
What is the first step in developing a training program?
Needs analysis
Needs analysis is also known as needs assessment and is used to identify training needs.
What are the four analyses included in a needs analysis?
- Organizational analysis
- Task (job) analysis
- Person analysis
- Demographic analysis
What is the focus of an organizational analysis?
Identifying organizational goals and determining if employee performance problems are due to a lack of training or other factors
What does a task (job) analysis identify?
The tasks required to perform the job and the KSAOs needed for each task
KSAOs stand for Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other characteristics.
What is the purpose of a person analysis?
To identify which employees have deficiencies that require training
What does a demographic analysis identify?
The training needs of specific groups of workers, such as older versus younger workers
What are the two main categories of training methods?
- On-the-job methods
- Off-the-job methods
What is an example of an on-the-job training method?
- Apprenticeships
- Internships
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Job rotation
- Cross-training
What is job rotation?
Having the trainee rotate through a predetermined set of jobs within the organization
What is cross-training?
Teaching employees how to perform essential tasks performed by other employees
What are two advantages of on-the-job training?
- Usually less costly than off-the-job training
- Alleviates problems related to transfer of training
What are major disadvantages of on-the-job training?
- Potential for errors
- Safety problems
- Slowdown or disruption of productivity
What defines off-the-job training?
Training that takes place at a site away from the actual worksite
What are some methods included in off-the-job training?
- Classroom lectures
- Technology-based training
- Behavior modeling
- Simulation training
What is behavior modeling based on?
Bandura’s social learning theory
What is simulation training useful for?
When on-the-job training would be too costly or dangerous
What is vestibule training?
A type of simulation training using actual machinery or equipment
What are advantages of off-the-job training?
- Greater control over the training environment
- Allows a large number of employees to be trained simultaneously
- Permits the use of multiple training methods