Reviews sources prescribing ethical personnel practices and discusses ethical obligations of psychologists and employers. Suggests research for resolving ethical issues and dealing with conflicting rights. (Author)

The relationship between vocational tests and career counseling is improving. Counselors are making better use of tests which appear to be more responsive to counselors needs in assessing clients. Measures of career planning progress and implications of trends for practitioners are discussed. (BEF)

To identify a procedure for establishing cut scores for National Occupational Competency Testing Institute examinations in Pennsylvania, an expert panel assessed written and performance test items for minimally competent workers. Recommendations about the number, type, and training of judges used were made. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

A recent study by the International Labor Organization surveyed the current law and practice of 18 industrialized nations that subject workers and job applicants to employment tests, including those for alcohol/drug use, AIDS, genetic disorders, and psychological states. The study concluded that there must be a balance between employer and worker…

A study of police recruits in England showed significant improvement in ethnic minority performance on personnel selection tests can be achieved through access training. Such training should aim to develop underlying skills and abilities and as a consequence improve test scores. (SK)

In using preemployment tests, special attention must be paid to issues of bias, legal rulings, validity, generalization, exaggerated expectations, test quality, misuse, publishers' claims, alternative assessment, and honesty tests. (Author/SK)

A sample of 75 area vocational-technical (AVT) students and 90 inmates in Oklahoma vo-tech skills centers completed tests in 3 occupational areas. AVT students had higher scores in word processing; inmates had significantly higher scores on the horticulture greenhouse worker test. No significant differences resulted for the automobile cluster. (SK)

When using assessment instruments for personnel purposes, identify the purposes of assessment, specify criteria for excellent performance, determine behavior standards, and select appropriate methodology. Correlation analysis is a useful technique for establishing the validity of an instrument. (SK)

Many organizations minimize the gap between technical skills needed and skills available by molding technical workers out of promising technical talent, using training to retain them, and using preemployment assessments and testing tools to spot those with the potential to become information technology workers. (JOW)

Nursing shortages are creating a global market for nurses. However, assessment of qualifications varies widely among nations. In Australia, for example, overseas nurses must pass English language and nursing competency assessments. Issues of equivalence, cost, and time are involved. (Includes commentaries by Paula Kay Hancock and Abigail…

The experience of a county government illustrates factors to consider in implementing online employment testing for job candidates: (1) selection of the appropriate Internet-based test; (2) passwords, timing, security, and technical difficulties; and (3) provisions for applicants who lack Internet access. (SK)

Directions are given for scoring typing tests taken on a typewriter or on a computer using special software. The speed score (gross words per minute) is obtained by determining the total number of strokes typed, and dividing by 25. The accuracy score is obtained by comparing the examinee's test paper to the appropriate scoring key and counting the…

Interest in personality in work and organizational psychology has never been stronger. A substantial amount of work exploring the links between personality variables and work behavior and attitudes is now available. Much of this work has been conducted within a selection and assessment context, although relevant work has also been done in other…

Factor analysis is used frequently by researchers as a data reduction and summarization technique. Many analysts use exploratory factor analysis to search for underlying dimensions in attitudinal studies. Concern arises when novice researchers rely solely on information derived from computer printouts to factor analyze data, dismissing theoretical…

Procedures are suggested for developing and using oral and/or practical assessment for the certification of professional competence in the health-care professions. Specific guidelines are offered for (1) deciding when to use oral or practical examinations, (2) developing sound examinations, and (3) evaluating the psychometric adequacy of developed…