Discusses how new technology is changing career testing and assessment. Describes several career information systems such as CareerScope, Ability Explorer, Work Keys, and Test of Adult Basic Education. (JOW)

Opinions of 79 disabled and 93 nondisabled persons were compared about the fairness and job relatedness of personality inventories, cognitive ability tests, leaderless group discussions, work samples, biographical inventories, and structured or unstructured interviews. Disabled respondents viewed structured interviews as significantly less fair…

A study of the relationships between the two inventories reveals many potential problems for counselors. Frequent inconsistencies and contradictions are found wherein like named scales appear to be measuring different things, while dissimilar scales often have strong positive relationships. The implications for counselors are discussed. (Author)

Discusses a study on testing procedures used by business and government agencies to screen word processor applicants. (JOW)

The author suggests that much of the current vocational evaluation technology does not fit within the definition of a work sample, and warns that if evaluators do not integrate their measurement tools with the discipline's philosophy, system publishers will gain control over vocational evaluation. (CL)

A specified minimum performance level can be translated into a minimum passing score for the written test by measuring the performance of students whose written test scores are near the desired cutoff score. Stochastic approximation methods accomplish this purpose. The up-and-down method and the Robbins-Monro process are compared. (Author/RL)

This study assessed the extent to which students commit various types of errors when completing Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) entirely on their own. Nearly all students made some type of error and approximately half of the students made errors that affected their final 3-letter summary codes. Almost one-fifth of the students made errors…

Asserts that fragmentation of academic disciplines handicaps efforts to deal rationally with problems arising from group differences in general intelligence. Contends that open discussions like those appearing in this special journal issue are necessary, and illustrates arguments through comments on moral, scientific, and legal concerns addressed…

Explains procedures for handwriting analysis (graphology) and the benefits and limitations of its use in employment screening. Presents implications for teaching penmanship in business education. (SK)

Three studies, all on student populations, looked at the relationship between a recently psychometrised measure of General Knowledge [Irwing, P., Cammock, T., & Lynn, R. (2001). Some evidence for the existence of a general factor of semantic memory and its components. "Personality and Individual Differences," 30, 857-871], both long…

Intended to serve as a practical study guide for those applicants interested in obtaining the Radiotelephone Third Class Operator Permit with the endorsement to operate broadcast radio stations, this manual is also designed to be helpful as a concise reference for those operators already active in the field of broadcasting. Chapters 1 and 2 are…

High risk of liability makes assessment centers a viable method for selection of police officers. Despite high costs, centers offer the advantages of observation of actual job-related behavior, support in the legal arena, and validity. Video technology and other options have potential for reducing the expense. (SK)

Describes how job analysis was used to create a job-specific skills assessment, how the skills assessment is used to determine the appropriateness of a candidate's skills and work style, and how the skills assessment informs an applicant about job tasks and expectations. (JOW)

Introduces Rene Thom's catastrophe theory, which is based upon complex theorems in multidimensional geometry. Catastrophe theory analysis begins by identifying the occurrence of major discontinuities, or catastrophes, in a system such as civil service exams, resulting in catastrophic change. (KS)

Results of a study correlating work behaviors, performance appraisals and results of civil service promotion examinations suggest that exam scores are not sufficient and should not be the sole determinant of promotions. Work behaviors and job performance are time consuming to assess but should also be considered as civil service promotion…