Characteristics of Valid Biographical Items |
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| Authors: | Lawrence J Stricker David L Alderton Donald A Rock |
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| Institution: | 1. Educational Testing Service , Princeton , New Jersey lstricker@ets.org;3. Navy Personnel Research Studies and Technology , Millington , Tennessee;4. Educational Testing Service , Princeton , New Jersey |
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| Abstract: | This study assessed the relationships between characteristics of biographical items from the Armed Services Applicant Profile and the items' validity in predicting the retention of enlisted military personnel. Item characteristics were appraised with ratings by expert judges and test takers, word and alternative counts, and response latencies. Item content was also appraised with ratings by expert judges. The more valid items involved overt behavior or experiences, dealt with discrete behavior or experiences, and had heterogeneous content. After controlling for item content, only the latter characteristic was related to validity. Item characteristics and item content interacted in several instances. |
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