Journal article
Can I retake it? Exploring subgroup differences and criterion-related validity in promotion retesting
Journal of applied psychology, Vol.96(5), pp.941-955
09/01/2011
DOI: 10.1037/a0023562
PMID: 21517142
Abstract
Despite recent interest in the practice of allowing job applicants to retest, surprisingly little is known about how retesting affects 2 of the most critical factors on which staffing procedures are evaluated: subgroup differences and criterion-related validity. We examined these important issues in a sample of internal candidates who completed a job-knowledge test for a within-job promotion. This was a useful context for these questions because we had job-performance data on all candidates (N = 403), regardless of whether they passed or failed the promotion test (i.e., there was no direct range restriction). We found that retest effects varied by subgroup, such that females and younger candidates improved more upon retesting than did males and older candidates. There also was some evidence that Black candidates did not improve as much as did candidates from other racial groups. In addition, among candidates who retested, their retest scores were somewhat better predictors of subsequent job performance than were their initial test scores (rs = .38 vs. .27). The overall results suggest that retesting does not negatively affect criterion-related validity and may even enhance it. Furthermore, retesting may reduce the likelihood of adverse impact against some subgroups (e.g., female candidates) but increase the likelihood of adverse impact against other subgroups (e.g., older candidates).
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Can I retake it? Exploring subgroup differences and criterion-related validity in promotion retesting
- Creators
- Chad H Van Iddekinge - Florida State University College of BusinessFrederick P Morgeson - Michigan State UniversityDeidra J Schleicher - Purdue University West LafayetteMichael A Campion - Purdue University West Lafayette
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of applied psychology, Vol.96(5), pp.941-955
- DOI
- 10.1037/a0023562
- PMID
- 21517142
- ISSN
- 0021-9010
- eISSN
- 1939-1854
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Management and Entrepreneurship
- Record Identifier
- 9984380539402771
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