The relationship between measures of ability, personality and academic performance : a concurrent validity study

Abstract

Each year a group of students is selected to enrol in the Honours degree in Human Resource Management at an institution of higher education. The focus of selection should be on the correct decision of who should be included and who should not. It is important to select the correct candidates for this programme, as the decision could have major cost implications for both the institution and the individual (Muller & Schepers, 2003). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental ability tests and personality measures as potential predictors of academic performance of Honours students in Human Resource Management at an institution of higher education. The focus was to determine which variables relate significantly to academic performance, for possible inclusion in a selection battery. Spearman’s correlation analysis was conducted, followed by regression analysis. The sample of the study consisted of B.Com Honours students studying Human Resources Management at an institution of higher education between 2007 and 2010. The study also used secondary data of 96 students who had completed the 15FQ+, OPQ, PIBSpEEx and CRTB2. The researcher, after investigating the literature regarding personality, cognitive ability and academic performance, formulated a set of criteria as a hypothesis. These criteria were statistically analysed to determine whether they could be used in a potential selection battery.