I
,OP3701 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semes
ter 2 2024 - DUE September 2024 ; 100% T
RUSTED Comple
The concept of unfair labour practice has been introduced into
South Africa through the Labour Relations Act and it is argued
that certain psychometric testing practices can be interpreted
as falling under the definition of an unfair labour practice.
Empirical results are presented indicating that different ethnic
groups obtain significantly different mean ability test scores. A
case study is cited to show that this would result in an
underprediction of performance on a criterion for the lower
scoring of two groups if test scores are regarded as comparable.
It is argued that any interpretation of psychometric data in
South Africa that does not take into account of possible
differences between ethnic groups is likely to ignore a
significant moderator variable, given the history of ethnically
based discriminatory practices in this country. Arguments based
on meta-analytical research in the USA, to the effect that
psychometric ability tests do not discriminate unfairly against
disadvantaged groups if the same tests and norms are used,
should not be assumed to hold in South Africa. Various
conceptions of what constitutes fairness in selection are
considered, and it is concluded that there is a need for
employers to make explicit in their selection policies the trade-
off between economic and social costs of employment
practices. Finally, some implications for users of psychometric
tests in industry are considered, to forewarn of likely
, developments in this field. 1. Do you agree with the statement
that “certain psychometric testing practices can be interpreted
as falling under the definition of an unfair labour practice”, and
why? (3) 2. What is the meaning of the statement “different
ethnic groups obtain significantly different mean ability test
scores”? (3) 3. What possible differences should be taken into
account during an interpretation of psychometric data in South
Africa? (4) 4. The Employment Equity Act (EEA) gives clear
guidelines on the use of psychological assessment tools. In your
discussion, also make an argument for or against the adequacy
of the Act to address concerns of psychological assessments.
(10) 5. Describe what norms are and why they are used in
psychological assessment. Why is it necessary to use norm
scores and not raw scores in the interpretation of psychological
test results? (5) 6. Discuss the responsibilities of organisations
in terms of fair assessment practices. (10) 7. The future of
psychological assessment is certain to include greater use of
computers. Given this statement, discuss five advantages and
five disadvantages that are related to the use of computers. (10)
8. In understanding assessment results, it is always important to
consider the context in which the results were obtained. The
social context is seen as one of the most difficult yet most
important contexts. Discuss how language can affect the
performance of assessment measures. (5)
1. Do you agree with the statement that “certain psychometric
testing practices can be interpreted as falling under the
definition of an unfair labour practice,” and why? (3)
,OP3701 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semes
ter 2 2024 - DUE September 2024 ; 100% T
RUSTED Comple
The concept of unfair labour practice has been introduced into
South Africa through the Labour Relations Act and it is argued
that certain psychometric testing practices can be interpreted
as falling under the definition of an unfair labour practice.
Empirical results are presented indicating that different ethnic
groups obtain significantly different mean ability test scores. A
case study is cited to show that this would result in an
underprediction of performance on a criterion for the lower
scoring of two groups if test scores are regarded as comparable.
It is argued that any interpretation of psychometric data in
South Africa that does not take into account of possible
differences between ethnic groups is likely to ignore a
significant moderator variable, given the history of ethnically
based discriminatory practices in this country. Arguments based
on meta-analytical research in the USA, to the effect that
psychometric ability tests do not discriminate unfairly against
disadvantaged groups if the same tests and norms are used,
should not be assumed to hold in South Africa. Various
conceptions of what constitutes fairness in selection are
considered, and it is concluded that there is a need for
employers to make explicit in their selection policies the trade-
off between economic and social costs of employment
practices. Finally, some implications for users of psychometric
tests in industry are considered, to forewarn of likely
, developments in this field. 1. Do you agree with the statement
that “certain psychometric testing practices can be interpreted
as falling under the definition of an unfair labour practice”, and
why? (3) 2. What is the meaning of the statement “different
ethnic groups obtain significantly different mean ability test
scores”? (3) 3. What possible differences should be taken into
account during an interpretation of psychometric data in South
Africa? (4) 4. The Employment Equity Act (EEA) gives clear
guidelines on the use of psychological assessment tools. In your
discussion, also make an argument for or against the adequacy
of the Act to address concerns of psychological assessments.
(10) 5. Describe what norms are and why they are used in
psychological assessment. Why is it necessary to use norm
scores and not raw scores in the interpretation of psychological
test results? (5) 6. Discuss the responsibilities of organisations
in terms of fair assessment practices. (10) 7. The future of
psychological assessment is certain to include greater use of
computers. Given this statement, discuss five advantages and
five disadvantages that are related to the use of computers. (10)
8. In understanding assessment results, it is always important to
consider the context in which the results were obtained. The
social context is seen as one of the most difficult yet most
important contexts. Discuss how language can affect the
performance of assessment measures. (5)
1. Do you agree with the statement that “certain psychometric
testing practices can be interpreted as falling under the
definition of an unfair labour practice,” and why? (3)
