Testing People at Work
Competencies in Psychometric Testing
1. Edition December 2004
440 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Testing People at Work is an authoritative, practical text
on selection and assessment. It explains psychometric testing in
occupational settings and also covers other methods of selection
such as assessment centres and e-selection. The book systematically
covers all the topics required for the BPS Certificates of
Competence in Testing Levels A and B.
* * Designed for students taking selection and assessment
courses.
* Covers the whole process of testing, from job analysis to
reporting results.
* Uses new theoretical frameworks for the topics of personality
and motivation.
* Features an extensive discussion of ethics in selection and
assessment.
* Includes questions testing understanding and suggestions for
further reading.
* Incorporates many tables and diagrams giving practical help to
users of psychometric tests.
* Accompanied by supplementary online material, at
www.blackwellpublishing.com/testing/.
Acknowledgements ix
1 Competence in Occupational Testing 1
Part I Preparation for Testing 7
2 Job Analysis and Person Specifications 9
3 An Introduction to Intelligence and Cognitive Ability 22
4 An Introduction to Personality 31
5 An Introduction to Motives (Needs, Values and Interests) 58
6 Attracting Applicants 72
Part II Psychometrics 81
7 Basic Statistics 1 83
8 Basic Statistics 2 100
9 The Sensitivity of Selection Measures 110
10 Standard Error and Reliability 113
11 Validity 133
12 Bias of Measures 165
13 Calculating the Sterling Value of Selection (Utility Analysis) 173
Part III Assessment Tools 181
14 Choice of Selection Methods 183
15 Psychometric Tests 1 187
16 Psychometric Tests 2 209
17 e-Selection 220
18 Other Scientific Methods of Selection 238
19 Less Scientific Methods of Selection 262
20 Assessment Centres 269
Part IV Using Tests 281
21 Test Administration 283
22 Norms and Profiles 298
23 Interpreting Scores 315
24 Face-to-face Feedback 347
25 Written Reports 355
26 Telephone Feedback 364
27 Ethics and Data Protection 368
Bibliography 383
Author Index 404
Occupation Index 410
Subject Index 412
Test and Measures Index 422
almost impossible to achieve in an introductory upwards text to a
scientific and practical discipline such as employee selection.
This text retains its independence throughout from any single test
publisher, yet covers all the competency areas laid down in the BPS
framework, and is an absolute goldmine of information on testing
and selection procedures more generally. Anyone even thinking of
booking onto Level A or Level B test training courses should buy
this book first." Neil Anderson, PhD, Professor of
Organizational Psychology, University of Amsterdam
"At last! A superbly practical book which takes you through the
stages of psychometric testing sequentially, but also integrates
theory and statistics into the story. The Smiths have provided all
would-be practitioners with an indispensable tool for their
learning, development, and reference." Peter Heriot,
Visiting Professor, University of Surrey and Open University
Business School
"This is a much needed text that provides an excellent grounding
for anyone aiming to achieve any of the BPS Certificates of
Competence in Occupational Testing. It also represents the ideal
source of reference for those using tests in the workplace. Each
chapter is written in a clear, non-threatening style that takes the
pain out of understanding the use of occupational tests." Dr
Caroline Limbert, University of Oxford, BPS verified assessor for
Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing
