R & S Exam 1 (Chapter 2)

Question 1

Bias

Answer 1

Systematic errors in measurement, or inferences made from those measurements, that are related to different identifiable group membership characteristics such as age, sex, or race. (p.54)

Question 2

Construct

Answer 2

An idea or concept constructed or invoked to explain relationships between observations. For example, the construct “extroversion” has been invoked to explain the relationship between “social forthrightness” and sales; “learning” is a construct used to explain the change in behaviour that results from experience. Constructs are abstractions that we infer from observations and that we cannot directly observe. In the natural sciences, “gravity” is perhaps the most famous construct. (p.39)

Question 3

Employment equity

Answer 3

A term coined in the 1986 federal Employment Equity Act referring to policies and initiatives to promote employment opportunities for members of designated minority groups. (p.40)

Question 4

Fairness

Answer 4

The principle that every test taker should be assessed in an equitable manner. (p.56)

Question 5

Reliability

Answer 5

The degree to which observed scores are free from random measurement errors. Reliability is an indication of the stability or dependability of a set of measurements over repeated applications of the measurement procedure. (p.40)

Question 6

Validity

Answer 6

The degree to which accumulated evidence and theory support specific interpretations of test scores in the context of the test’s proposed use. (p.45)

Question 7

Validity generalization

Answer 7

The application of validity evidence, obtained through meta-analysis of data obtained from many situations, to other situations that are similar to those on which the meta-analysis is based. (p.51)

Question 8

What is the correct term for the degree to which accumulated evidence and theory support specific interpretations of test scores in the context of the test’s proposed use?

Answer 8

Validity

Question 9

A background investigation would immediately follow which step of an effective selection process?

Answer 9

the candidate undergoes a second (in-person) interview

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT representative of a science-based system in human resource management?

Answer 10

implementation on a case-by-case basis

Question 11

A practice-based selection system in human resource management is based on which of the following principles?

Answer 11

a person’s “gut feeling”

Question 12

What is the correct term for an idea or concept constructed or invoked to explain relationships between observations?

Answer 12

construct

Question 13

An organization administered a test to existing employees to see how it correlated with their performance. Which type of evidence does this provide?

Answer 13

concurrent

Question 14

Which of the following represents the strongest correlation between two variables?

Answer 14

r = 0.80 (The greater the # = the stronger the correlation)

Question 15

Which is the correct term for an indication of the stability or dependability of a set of measurements over repeated applications of the measurement procedure?

Answer 15

reliability

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a technique for establishing the validity of a test?

Answer 16

Examine internal consistency rates.

Question 17

What is the term for the reduction in the size of the validity coefficient due to the selection process?

Answer 17

range restriction