The importance of distinguishing between constructs and methods when comparing predictors in personnel selection research and practice. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The authors highlight the importance and discuss the criticality of distinguishing between constructs and methods when comparing predictors. They note that comparisons of constructs and methods in comparative evaluations of predictors result in outcomes that are theoretically to conceptually uninterpretable and thus potentially misleading. The theoretical and practical implications of the distinction between predictor constructs and predictor methods are discussed, with three important streams of personnel psychology research being used to frame this discussion. Researchers, editors, reviewers, educators, and consumers of research are urged to carefully consider the extent to which the construct-method distinction is made and maintained in their own research and that of others, especially when predictors are being compared. It is hoped that this discussion will reorient researchers and practitioners toward a more construct-oriented approach that is aligned with a scientific emphasis in personnel selection research and practice.

published proceedings

  • J Appl Psychol

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Arthur, W., & Villado, A. J

citation count

  • 158

complete list of authors

  • Arthur, Winfred||Villado, Anton J

publication date

  • March 2008