Abstract
Biodata is an important method used in primary selection of potential job candidates. It focuses on individual historical information, including the past behaviors and experiences, as individual’s past behaviors can serve as a critical predictor for the future working behaviors. In China, the most frequently used biodata questionnaire is the resume. However, without a systematic method to assess biodata, lots of errors may occur, such as subjective misjudgment. In order to make the best use of Biodata and to promote the accuracy of personal assessment and selection decision, this study standardized the scoring process of behavioral event Biodata according to CIT (critical incident technique) and BARs (behaviorally anchored rating scales), and verified the reliability and validity of behavioral event biodata.
One provincial communication company supplied 178 jobs in the Campus Recruitment last year, and more than 6000 students applied. 1500 of them took the exam. The exam included the scales of GMA (General Mental Ability) and the semi-structured resume. 750 applicants took the 2 hours’ exam and 20 minutes’ semi-structured interview. The sample in this study consisted of 250 applicants among the 750. First, we interviewed 5 human resource administrators and defined 5 main selection criterions. After analyzing the applicants’ statements to the open question, 87 critical incidents were extracted. And then all the critical incidents were differentiatexd into 5 criterions by two rounds of rating containing 13 SMEs (Subject Matter Experts, people who have some basic familiarity with appraising work) to insure consistency. Second, we verified and modified the elementary scaling tool. Behaviorial event biodata scoring scale was developed from another round of rating by 6 SMEs. The reliability of the scale was tested. There is no significant differences among the ratings of the 6 raters. Third, we established the BARS scaling tool and rated the applicants’ behavarial event biodata. The relationships among behaviorial BioData and other assessment tools were tested. After the logarithmic transform of the scaling data and the reliability analysis, interactive validity was made among behaviorial event Biodata, GMA and single scored BioData. The result revealed that the relationship is accordant with others researches. Behavioral event Biodata is a reliable and effective seletion and assessment tool.
In summary, examining behavioral events biodata, applying critical incident technique (CIT) and behavioral anchoring rating scale (BARS), this study assesses competency characteristics from integrated data of 250 job applicants for a Chinese state-owned enterprise. Through the criterion-related validity and incremental validity of ideas, a systematic analysis was preformed on the Biodata behavior, resume information, cognitive ability, and post-interview result data. The results show that behavioral event Biodata is a proper related-validity criterion and when applied with other tools can effectively increase validity measures for the data.
The scaling tools developed and the methods used in this study can supply significant validity in assessment. The instruments are both cost effective and easy to operate. We verify the incremental validity based on empirical research using Chinese data which offers both theoretical and practical contributions.
Key words
Biodata /
Behaviorial Event /
Assessment /
Validity
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Behavioral Event Biodata as a Personnel Recruitment Approach in China[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2015, 38(2): 457-462
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