Test of the cultural bias hypothesis: some Israeli findings

Article Abstract:

The major aim of this study was to examine the cross-cultural validity of the test bias contention, with particular concern for possible sociocultural group differences in the construct and predictive validity of college entrance scholastic aptitude tests in Israel. The analyses were based on the test scores of 1,538 Israeli college student candidates of varying ethnic group membership, applying for admission to a major Israeli campus. The psychometric properties of the test battery were compared by ethnic group via a variety of internal (factor structure, reliability, etc.) and external (predictive validity, homogeneity of regression, etc.) test bias criteria. On the whole, the data provided little evidence for differential construct or predictive validity of aptitude test scores as a function of ethnic group membership, thus lending a greater deal of generality to previous research on test bias, generally negating the cultural bias hypothesis. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Psychological aspects, Israel, Universities and colleges, College students, Race relations, Ethnic groups, Ethnicity, Student evaluation, College students, Rating of

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Inductive and deductive reasoning: a structural reanalysis of ability tests

Article Abstract:

The definition of inductive reasoning adopted by Colberg, Nester, and Trattner (1985) and the inductive test items constructed accordingly yield, in effect, purely deductive items. In contrast, Thurstone's (1938) original definition of induction as rule finding is found to be psychometrically more viable: It is unambiguous and empirically consequential. A multidimensional scaling reanalysis of Colberg's data using Smallest Space Analysis brings out the conceptual differentiation between items that require rule inference and those that require rule application only. This differentiation was absent in the original factor analysis. An appended methodological note contrasts multidimensional scaling (interpreted for regional partition patterns) with factor analysis and, making use of this study's results, illustrates differences between the two procedures. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Inductive reasoning, Induction (Logic), Psychology, Applied, Applied psychology

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A quota selection paradox

Article Abstract:

Quota selection guarantees that the proportions of minority and majority group members among appointees are the same as the proportions in the applicant population. If the test scores of minority and majority populations are identically distributed, it would seem evident that the average scores of appointees from the two populations would not be expected to differ. Surprisingly, it can be shown that under quota selection the expected mean score of minority appointees is always lower than that of majority appointees. Although the effect is small, it could lead to errors of inference in applied settings. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Evaluation, Psychological tests, Psychometrics

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