Test-Score Banding in Human Resource Selection

by Aguinis, Herman

• ISBN13: 9781567205206
• ISBN10: 1567205208
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-02-28
• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text

Summary

Virtually everyone is subjected to one form or another of testing. We are tested to get into schools and once we are in schools. We are often tested when we apply for a job and once we get a job. In spite of the pervasiveness and criticality of decisions made based on test scores, testing has been, and continues to be, a source of controversy. Is testing equally fair to all people? Are decisions based on tests fair to all members of society? Test-score banding is a method to interpret test scores that takes into account the fact that tests used in human resource selection are never perfectly accurate. This book analyzes the use of test-score banding from technical, legal, and societal points of view. It includes controversial arguments in favor and against the use of test-score banding, useful guidelines for practice, and innovative suggestions for research. For the past decade, organizations have relied on banding to select employees by forming groups of "bands" of applicants based on their scores on tests, interviews, and any other measure. Because test scores are never perfectly accurate, these bands render applicants within the same band indistinguishable. Secondary criteria, such as ethnicity and gender, then are used to "break the tie," allowing organizations to increase diversity by increasing the proportion of employees who are members of underrepresented groups.

Author Biography

HERMAN AGUINIS is Associate Professor of Management at the Business School of the University of Colorado, Denver. He has held visiting appointments at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (Spain), City University of Hong Kong, and University of Science Malaysia. He is Associate Editor of Organizational Research Methods and is Chair of the Research Methods Division of the Academy of Management.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction to Test-Score Banding in Human Resource Selection	1	(6)
Herman Aguinis
Social and Technical Issues in Staffing Decisions	7	(22)
Wayne F. Cascio
Irwin L. Goldstein
James Outtz
Sheldon Zedeck
A Comparison of Test-Focused and Criterion-Focused Banding Methods: Back to the Future?	29	(20)
Paul J. Hanges
Hilary J. Gettman
Banding: Background and General Management Purpose	49	(22)
Robert M. Guion
Legal and Practical Implications of Banding for Personnel Selection	71	(42)
Gerald V. Barrett
Sarah B. Lueke
Statistical Weights of Ability and Diversity in Selection Decisions Based on Various Methods of Test-Score Use	113	(20)
Neal Schmitt
Frederick L. Oswald
Effects of Banding on Performance and Minority Hiring: Further Monte Carlo Simulations	133	(18)
Roxanne M. Laczo
Paul R. Sackett
SED Banding as a Test of Scientific Values in I/O Psychology	151	(24)
Frank Schmidt
John E. Hunter
Conflicting Values and Interests in Banding Research and Practice	175	(18)
Kevin R. Murphy
Will Banding Benefit My Organization? An Application of Multi-attribute Utility Analysis	193	(24)
Herman Aguinis
Erika Harden
Author Index	217	(4)
Subject Index	221	(8)
About the Editor and Contributors	229