The validity of a test battery used in the selection of apprentice electricians.
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Date
1999
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the suitability of a psychometric test battery that is used by a large service department of the Durban City Council in the selection of apprentice electricians. The essence of the investigation is to determine whether the tests being used are appropriate for the purpose for which they are applied, as well as being justifiable within the current context in South Africa. A predictive validity analysis was carried out to determine whether the psychometric tests have a correlational relationship with the trade test which apprentices undergo. The analysis was carried out on a sample of fifty five apprentices, consisting of a black group of 16 and a white group of 39. The results of the analysis were that the tests generally did not have a positive link with the results of the trade test. The only exception was the Mental Alertness test which showed a significant correlation with the trade test for the white sample only. The value of the study lies in its usefulness to the organisation which uses the test battery in terms of providing a review of the effectiveness of the tests. Recommendations of the study are that alternative methods for apprentice selection be investigated.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.
Keywords
Employment tests., Employee selection--South Africa., Occupational aptitude tests., Blacks--Ability testing--South Africa., Whites--Ability testing--South Africa., Electricians--South Africa., Theses--Industrial psychology., City engineer's department. Durban.