The use of the standard deviation of item ratings as a criterion of scale anchor selection is criticized on several grounds. Data are presented which show that the criterion (a) lacks verification, (b) leads to mid-range scale gaps, and (c) wastes large numbers of potentially useful items. An alternative criterion that is based on item intercorrelation procedures is suggested and tested. Results indicate that the alternative criterion does not lead to the negative outcomes of the SD criterion. Discussion indicates that the alternative criterion is more theoretically meaningful than the SD criterion.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Blood, M. R.Spin-offs from Behavioral Expectation Scale Procedures. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1974, 59, 513-515.
2.
Campbell, J. P., Dunnette, M. D., Lawler, E. E., III, and Weick, K. E., Jr.Managerial Behavior, Performance, and Effectiveness. New York: McGraw-Hill , 1970.
3.
Campbell, J. P., Dunnette, M. D., Arvey, R. D., and Hellervik, L. N.The development of behaviorally based rating scales. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1973, 57, 15-22.
4.
Cronbach, L. L.Essentials of Psychological Testing (3rd edition). New York: Harper and Row, 1970.
5.
Cummings, L. L. and Schwab, D. P.Performance in Organizations: Determinants and Appraisal . Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman, Inc., 1973.
6.
DeCotiis, T. A.The Development and Evaluation of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales for the Job of Radio Patrolmen. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1974.
7.
Fogli, L., Hulin, C. L., and Blood, M. R.Development of First-Level Behavioral Job Criteria. Journal of Applied Psychology , 1971, 55, 3-8.
8.
Goodale, J. G. and Burke, R. J.Behaviorally Based Rating Scales Need Not be Job Specific. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1975 , 60, 389-391.
9.
Guion, R. M.Personnel Testing. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1965.
10.
Harari, O. and Zedeck, S.Evaluation of University Faculty Teaching. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, Oregon, April 1972.
11.
Heckman, R. W., Groner, D. M., Dunnette, M. D., and Johnson, P. D.Development of Psychiatric Standards for Police Selection. Minneapolis, Personnel Decisions, Incorporated, 1972.
12.
Landy, F. J. and Guion, R. M.Development of scales for the measurement of work motivation . Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 1970, 5, 93-103.
13.
Schwab, D. P., Heneman, H. G., III, and DeCotiis, T. A.Behaviorally Anchored rating scales: A Review of the Literature. Personnel Psychology, 1975, 14, 360-370.
14.
Smith, P. C. and Kendall, L. M.Retranslation of expectations: An approach to unambiguous anchors for rating scales. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1963, 47, 149-155.
15.
Yoder, D.Personnel Management and Industrial Relations. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1970.
16.
Zedeck, S.Imparto, N., Krausz, M., and Oleno, T.Development of behaviorally anchored rating scales as a function of organizational level. Journal of Applied Psychology , 1974, 59, 249-252.
17.
Zedeck, S., Jacobs, R., and Kafry, D.Behavioral expectations: Development of parallel forms and analysis of scale assumptions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1976, 61, 112-115.
