Using Psychometrics ^{2nd Ed.}

Despite the increasing use of psychometric tests, there is still a great deal of misapprehension about them and, indeed, much scepticism about their viability. Robert Edenborough provides a detailed and practical guide to the use of tests, clearly showing how powerful and effective they can be in aiding staff selection and development. For any manager or personnel specialist considering using tests, Edenborough illustrates how they can, and should, be effectively integrated with other assessment methods.

Seeking to de-mystify psychometric testing on the one hand and on the other point out the pitfalls of ill-considered use, the author shows:

• what psychometric tests are and when and how to use them;
• how to understand the different types of test and what they can contribute;
• how to choose the most appropriate tests for specific areas of application;
• the legal, professional and commercial regulatory framework.

For personnel/HR professionals and line-managers alike, Using Psychometrics will provide an invaluable introduction to this increasingly popular method of assessment.

1. Psychometrics — setting the scene
• Mental measurement and magic
• Historical perspective
• Psychometrics explored
• How tests are used today — selection to counselling
• Validity and reliability
• Introduction to practical issues in control and interpretation
• Summary
2. Types of psychometrics and their interpretation
• The range of psychometric tests
• Personality measurement
• Ability, aptitude and attainment
• Interest inventories
• Educational testing
• Clinical testing
• Interpreting test results
• Summary
3. Tests and selection; the developing context
• Mass testing to trial by sherry
• Some favourite measures — club membership to age
• Job definitions to competencies
• Summary
4. Tests and selection: the practice
• Large volume recruitment applications
• One-off and shortlist assessment
• Psychometrics and internal selection
• Summary
5. Tests and development
• The context of development
• Psychometrics and developmental diagnosis
• Tests in counselling
• Development in the team
• Postscript on development
• Summary
6. Regulation — professional, commercial and legal concerns
• Background to regulation
• Test design and construction
• Competence and qualifications
• Data protection
• Equal opportunities
• Disabilities
• Copyright
• Coda on regulation
• Summary
7. Psychometric neighbours
• Introduction
• Structure in interviewing
• Other content analytical methods
• Assessment centres
• Other observational methods — lie detection to body language
• Attitude and opinion measurement
• Application forms and biodata systems
• Summary
8. Implementing psychometrics
• Introduction
• Information flows — building the picture
• Other assessment methods
• Further practical issues
• Checklist for psychometric applications
• Special applications
• Summary
9. Conclusions
• A balance sheet — or not?
• Psychometrics and mystery
• Globalisation
• Further statistical considerations
• The use of computers in psychometrics
• Ongoing developments — emotional intelligence
• Final comments

Boring and useless. Buy something else.