Court approved content validation of minimum qualifications (Buster, Roth, & Bobko, 2005)

This home study course entails the independent study of the journal article "A process for content validation of education and experience-based minimun qualifications: An approach resulting in federal court approval" (Buster, Roth & Bobko, 2005), followed by the completion of a multiple-choice test on-line. Participants who receive a passing grade of 75% or higher on the test will receive 2 CE credits. Failing participants may retake the test as often as they wish at no additional charge, and receive CE credit when they do pass.

A copy of the journal article for this course is available at the Article website, where you may purchase a copy of the journal article for about $29.

Upon completion of this home study program, the participant will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the various courts' understanding of the validity of minimum qualifications.
2. Explain the stages in the authors' new procedure for the development of content valid MQs.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the rating processes and scales used in the development of content valid MQs.

This CE program is intended for psychologists who hold a doctoral degree. The course may be taken by other interested professionals (e.g.,senior human resource executives and consultants; upper-level managers).

The fee for this home-study program is $20, which is $10 per CE credit. The fee is fully refundable for 60 days or until the post-test is taken, whichever comes first.

A copy of the journal article for this course is available at the Article website, where you may purchase a copy of the journal article for about $29.

Written by a team comprised by a member of the Alabama State Personnel Department and two well-known and prolific industrial psychologists.

Publication citation:

Buster, M.A., Roth, P.L., & Bobko, P. (2005). A process for content validation of education and experience-based minimun qualifications: An approach resulting in federal court approval. Personnel Psychology, 58, 771-799.

Article abstract:

The use of education and experience minimum qualifications (MQs) is nearly ubiquitous in employment settings, yet it appears to be rare that such MQs are validated by the end user (either via content validity or criterion-related validation approaches). In this article, we present a method of content-validating MQs that is related to a procedure noted by Levine, Maye, Ulm, and Gordon (1997), and we demonstrate the method's application for an upper-level management position in a state agency. Our procedure is based on adherence to the Uniform Guidelines and sound professional practice. In addition, the procedure was heard in a federal court proceeding (deposition and expert testimony in relation to 3 jobs), was approved by that court, and we discuss the court's findings. In particular, the court found, "The MQ development process used by the State Personnel Department (SPD) is consistent with the requirements of the Guidelines and leads to content-valid MQs." Given data available to us for another job, we also show that the obtained MQs may result in less adverse impact than a previously determined, task-based set of MQs.

APR Testing Services (APR) has no known conflict of interest with respect to this CE program. APR has not received any commercial support for this CE program.