Chapter 8

Question 1

the process of using data and analytical systems to arrive at optimal decisions, including statistical analyses of data.

Answer 1

Data Analytics

Question 2

the process of assigning numbers according to some rule or convention to aspects of people, jobs, job success, or aspects of the staffing system.

Answer 2

Measurement

Question 3

the numerical outcomes of measurement.

Answer 3

Data

Question 4

information about measures used to make projections about outcomes.

Answer 4

Predictive Data

Question 5

information about important outcomes of the staffing process.

Answer 5

Criterion Data

Question 6

a measurement in which numbers are assigned to discrete labels or categories.

Answer 6

Nominal Measurement

Question 7

a measurement in which attributes are ranked by assigning numbers in ascending or descending order.

Answer 7

Ordinal Measurement

Question 8

a measurement in which the distance between scores on an attribute has meaning.

Answer 8

Interval Measurement

Question 9

a measurement in which the distance between scores has meaning; it includes a true and meaningful zero point.

Answer 9

Ratio Measurement

Question 10

the unadjusted scores on a measure.

Answer 10

Raw Scores

Question 11

measures in which the scores have meaning in and of themselves.

Answer 11

Criterion Referenced Measures

Question 12

measures in which the scores have meaning only when compared to the scores of others.

Answer 12

Norm Referenced Measures

Question 13

a curve representing the bell-shaped symmetrical distribution of some factor.

Answer 13

Normal Curve

Question 14

the distribution of scores under the normal curve.

Answer 14

Normal Distribution

Question 15

a raw score that has been converted into an expression of the percentage of people who score at or below that score.

Answer 15

Percentile Score

Question 16

the midpoint, or center, of the data.

Answer 16

Central Tendency

Question 17

a measure of central tendency reflecting the average score.

Answer 17

Mean

Question 18

the middle score, or the point below which 50% of the scores fall.

Answer 18

Median

Question 19

the most commonly observed score.

Answer 19

Mode

Question 20

a measure that describes the “spread” of the data around the midpoint.

Answer 20

Variability

Question 21

the difference between the highest and lowest observed score.

Answer 21

Range

Question 22

a score that is much higher or lower than most of the scores in a distribution.

Answer 22

Outlier

Question 23

a mathematical measure of the spread based on squared deviations of scores from the mean.

Answer 23

Varience

Question 24

the positive square root of the variance; it is conceptually similar to the average distance from the mean of a set scores.

Answer 24

Standard Deviation

Question 25

converted raw scores that indicate where a person’s score lies in comparison to a referent group.

Answer 25

Standard Scores

Question 26

a standard score that indicates the distance of a score from the mean in standard deviation units.

Answer 26

Z-Score

Question 27

the strength of linear relationship between two variables.

Answer 27

Correlation

Question 28

a single number ranges from -1 to +1; it reflects the direction and magnitude of the relationship between two variables.

Answer 28

Correlation Coefficient

Question 29

graphical illustration of the relationship between two variables.

Answer 29

Scatter Plot

Question 30

a variable used to predict the value of an outcome.

Answer 30

Predictor Variable

Question 31

the variability of sample correlations due to chance.

Answer 31

Sampling Error

Question 32

the degree to which the observed relationship is not likely due to sampling error.

Answer 32

Statistical Significance

Question 33

an observed relationship that is large enough to be of value in a practical sense.

Answer 33

Practical Significance

Question 34

a statistical technique that predicts an outcomes using one or more predictor variables; it identifies the ideal weights to assign each predictor so as to maximize the validity of a set of predictors; the analysis is based on each predictor’s correlation with the outcome and the degree to which the predictors are themselves intercorrelated.

Answer 34

Multiple Regression

Question 35

how dependability, or consistently a measure assesses a particular characteristic.

Answer 35

Reliability

Question 36

error that is not due to any consistent cause.

Answer 36

Random Error

Question 37

error that occurs because of consistent and predictable factors.

Answer 37

Systematic Errors

Question 38

occurs when you fail to measure important aspects of the attribute you would like to measure.

Answer 38

Deficiency Error

Question 39

occurs when other factors unrelated to whatever is being assessed affect the observed scores.

Answer 39

Contamination Error

Question 40

reflects the repeatability of scores over time and the stability of the underlying construct being measured.

Answer 40

Test Retest Reliability

Question 41

indicates how consistent scores are likely to be if a person completes two or more forms of the same measure.

Answer 41

Alternate or Parallel Form Reliability

Question 42

indicates how consistent scores are likely to be if the responses are scored by two or more raters using the same item, scale, or instrument.

Answer 42

Internal Consistency Reliability

Question 43

indicates how consistent scores are likely to be if the responses are scored by two or more raters using the same item, scale, or instrument.

Answer 43

Inter-Rater Reliability

Question 44

the margin of error that you should expect in an individual score because of the imperfect reliability of the measure.

Answer 44

Standard Error of Measurements

Question 45

how well a measure assess a given construct and the degree to which you can make specific conclusions or predictions based on observed scores.

Answer 45

Validity

Question 46

a subjective assessment of how well items seem to be related to the requirements of the job.

Answer 46

Face Validity

Question 47

the cumulative and ongoing process of establishing the job relatedness of a measure.

Answer 47

Validation

Question 48

the process of demonstrating that the content of a measure assesses important job related behaviors.

Answer 48

Content-Related Validation

Question 49

the process of demonstrating that the content of a measure assesses important job related behaviors.

Answer 49

Construct-Related Validation

Question 50

the process of demonstrating that there is a statistical relationship between scores from a measure and the criterion.

Answer 50

Criterion-Related Validation

Question 51

a number between 0 and +1 that indicates the magnitude of the relationship between a predictor and the criterion.

Answer 51

Validity Coefficient

Question 52

the degree to which evidence of validity obtained in one situation can be generalized to another situation without further study.

Answer 52

Validity Generalization

Question 53

not hiring someone who would have been successful at the job or hiring someone who is not successful at the job.

Answer 53

Selection Errors

Question 54

the practice of using a variety of measures and procedures to more fully assess people.

Answer 54

Whole Person Approach

Question 55

the consistent administration and use of a measure.

Answer 55

Standardization

Question 56

the amount of judgement or bias involved in scoring an assessment measure.

Answer 56

Objectivity

Question 57

the number of people hired divided by the number of applicants.

Answer 57

Selection Ratio

Question 58

the percent of employees who are defined as currently successful performers.

Answer 58

Base Rate