dc.contributor.author |
Schaap, Pieter
|
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2011-11-07T06:49:51Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2011-11-07T06:49:51Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2011-10-14 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
ORIENTATION: For a number of years, eliminating a language component in testing by using
nonverbal cognitive tests has been proposed as a possible solution to the effect of groups’
languages (mother tongues or first languages) on test performance. This is particularly relevant
in South Africa with its 11 official languages.
RESEARCH PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the differential item functioning (DIF)
and structural equivalence of a nonverbal cognitive ability test (the PiB/SpEEx Observance test
[401]) for five South African language groups.
MOTIVATION FOR STUDY: Cultural and language group sensitive tests can lead to unfair
discrimination and is a contentious workplace issue in South Africa today. Misconceptions
about psychometric testing in industry can cause tests to lose credibility if industries do not use
a scientifically sound test-by-test evaluation approach.
RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: The researcher used a quasi-experimental design and
factor analytic and logistic regression techniques to meet the research aims. The study used a
convenience sample drawn from industry and an educational institution.
MAIN FINDINGS: The main findings of the study show structural equivalence of the test at a
holistic level and nonsignificant DIF effect sizes for most of the comparisons that the researcher
made.
PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: This research shows that the PIB/SpEEx Observance Test
(401) is not completely language insensitive. One should see it rather as a language-reduced
test when people from different language groups need testing.
CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The findings provide supporting evidence that nonverbal cognitive
tests are plausible alternatives to verbal tests when one compares people from different
language groups. |
en |
dc.description.uri |
http://www.sajip.co.za |
en_US |
dc.identifier.citation |
Schaap, P. (2011). The differential item functioning and structural equivalence of a nonverbal cognitive ability test for five language groups. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology/SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 37(1) Art. #881, 16 pages. DOI: 10.4102/sajip.v37i1.881 |
en |
dc.identifier.issn |
0258-5200 |
|
dc.identifier.other |
10.4102/sajip.v37i1.881 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17508 |
|
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_US |
dc.publisher |
OpenJournals Publishing |
en_US |
dc.rights |
© 2011. The Authors.
Licensee: AOSIS
OpenJournals. This work
is licensed under the
Creative Commons
Attribution License. |
en |
dc.subject |
Five language groups |
en |
dc.subject |
Differential item functioning |
en |
dc.subject |
Structural equivalence |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Non-Verbal Ability Tests |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Cognitive Abilities Test |
en |
dc.title |
The differential item functioning and structural equivalence of a nonverbal cognitive ability test for five language groups |
en |
dc.type |
Article |
en |