Question 1

An interval scale has an absolute zero point.

Accepted Answer

An interval scale does not have an absolute zero point; it measures the difference between points, but zero does not indicate the absence of the quantity being measured.

Question 2

If Susan scores 5 percentile points higher on a selection test than Jack, we can conclude that Susan is 5 percent better than Jack for the job.

Accepted Answer

Percentile points in a selection test do not necessarily translate to a percentage increase in job performance. The selection test measures a candidate's skills and abilities related to the job, but the actual job performance depends on various factors such as work ethic, attitude, and training.

Question 3

Criterion variables serve as definitions of what is meant by employee success on the job.

Accepted Answer

Criterion variables are specific measures used to define and assess success on the job. They serve as a way to determine whether an employee has performed successfully or not.

Question 4

To interpret the results of measurements, we need information on how others scored and on the validity of the measure.

Accepted Answer

To interpret the results of measurements, it is important to have information on how others scored and on the validity of the measure.

Question 5

The first step to develop a selection measure is selecting the method of measurement to be used.

Accepted Answer

The first step to develop a selection measure is actually to conduct a job analysis to identify the relevant knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) needed for the job.

Question 6

Poor measurement in selection can be compensated for by sophisticated statistical analysis.

Accepted Answer

Sophisticated statistical analysis may help in drawing inferences and predictions, but it cannot make up for poor measurement in selection. Poorly measured variables will still produce inaccurate and unreliable results regardless of the level of statistical analysis used.

Question 7

Using an interval scale, a person scoring 100 on a test has twice as much ability as another person scoring 50 on the same test.

Accepted Answer

An interval scale measures and orders data, but it does not have a true zero point that allows for the interpretation of ratios. Therefore, you cannot say someone with a score of 100 has twice the ability of someone with a score of 50.

Question 8

Z-scores (or standard scores) are the most common metric presented by publishers of selection measures.

Accepted Answer

Z-scores are a way to standardize scores across different scales, but they are not the most common metric presented by publishers of selection measures. Percentiles, raw scores, and scaled scores are more commonly used for reporting test results in educational and psychological assessments.

Question 9

Race norming is considered an illegal practice.

Accepted Answer

Race norming, which involves setting different passing scores for different racial groups, is considered discriminatory and illegal according to federal employment law.

Question 10

In general, the higher the percentile score, the better a person's performance relative to others in the normative sample.

Accepted Answer

A percentile score indicates the percentage of people in the normative sample who scored lower than the individual. Therefore, a higher percentile score means a person performed better than a greater percentage of people in the normative sample.

Question 11

National data are preferable to local norms for making employment decisions.

Accepted Answer

Local norms are often more relevant and accurate for making employment decisions because they reflect the specific context, culture, and economic conditions of the area where the employment is taking place. National data might not capture these nuances, leading to less informed or inappropriate decisions.

Question 12

A scale of measurement is a means by which individuals can be distinguished from one another on a variable of interest.

Accepted Answer

A scale of measurement allows for individuals to be ranked or categorized according to the variable being measured. This is an essential component of many research studies as it allows for the comparison and analysis of data.

Question 13

Judgmental data (e.g., performance appraisals) and work sample data essentially measure the same thing.

Accepted Answer

Judgmental data and work sample data measure different aspects of an employee's performance. Judgmental data is based on subjective ratings by supervisors or colleagues, while work sample data involves observing an employee's actual job performance.

Question 14

An interview tailored to specific applicants (i.e., different questions are asked to different applicants) would be considered a "standardized" measure.

Accepted Answer

A standardized measure is one that is administered consistently across all participants using the same questions or tasks. If different questions are asked to different applicants, it is not a standardized measure.

Question 15

Classifying individuals based on dichotomous categories (e.g., male/female) is using a nominal scale of measurement.

Accepted Answer

Nominal scale of measurement is used for categorizing data into mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories, such as male/female, color categories, or categories based on types of animals.

Question 16

An ordinal scale provides information on the magnitude of differences among ranks.

Accepted Answer

An ordinal scale indicates the order or rank of values, but it does not specify the exact magnitude of difference between them.

Question 17

Level A tests require the most extensive preparation on the part of the test administrator.

Accepted Answer

Level C tests require the most extensive preparation on the part of the test administrator, as they are the most complex and often involve interpretation of results and administration that requires specific training or certification.

Question 18

The degree of precision with which we can measure differences among people increases as we move from nominal to ratio scales.

Accepted Answer

Nominal scales only allow for categorical distinctions, while ratio scales allow for the measurement of precise numerical differences. Therefore, as we move from nominal to ratio scales, we become more precise in our measurements of differences among people.

Question 19

It is the manner in which the criterion is measured, not the criterion itself, that determines level of measurement.

Accepted Answer

The level of measurement is determined by the way in which the criterion is measured, which refers to the scale or set of numbers used to represent the variable being measured. The criterion itself is simply the characteristic or attribute being measured, such as height or weight.

Question 20

Variables used to predict who would be selected for a job must be important to the job and must be appropriately measured.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. In order to make accurate predictions about job selection, the variables chosen must be relevant and accurately measured. Otherwise, the predictions may be flawed or biased.

Quiz 6: Human Resource Measurement in Selection