JOB SAMPLE VS. PAPER-AND-PENCIL TRADES AND TECHNICAL TESTS: ADVERSE IMPACT AND EXAMINEE ATTITUDES1

The adverse impact of a content-valid job sample test of metal trades skills was compared to that of a well-constructed content-valid written achievement test for the same technical area. The adverse impact of the former was considerably less. In addition, both minority and majority examinees saw the job sample tests as significantly fairer, clearer, and more appropriate in difficulty level. These differences were not only statistically significant but also quite large. These were no significant differences between minority and majority attitudes toward either test. In light of these results, it is suggested that industrial psychologists should explore more fully the potential of performance testing.     

A REVIEW OF COCAINE ABUSE: BEHAVIOR,PHARMACOLOGY, AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS,EDITED BY S. T. HIGGINS AND J. L. KATZ

This book comprises 17 chapters that deal with a variety of topics related to cocaine and its abuse. Several of the chapters are excellent, and the book in its totality contains a wealth of information. These are major strengths. On the down side, some important topics are ignored, the relevance of several chapters to cocaine abuse is not apparent, and the various chapters are not well integrated. We recommend Cocaine Abuse as a reference volume for scientists with specific training in the areas that it covers. But we do not recommend it for cover‐to‐cover reading as an overview of cocaine abuse.