Situational Judgment Tests: An Overview of Development Practices and Psychometric Characteristics

Authors

Deborah L. Whetzel, Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO)Follow
Taylor S. Sullivan, Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO)Follow
Rodney A. McCloy, Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO)Follow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/pad.2020.01.001

Abstract

Situational judgment tests (SJTs) are popular assessment methods often used for personnel selection and promotion. SJTs present problem scenarios to examinees, who then evaluate each response option for addressing the issue described in the scenario. As guidance for practitioners and researchers alike, this paper provides experience- and evidence-based best practices for developing SJTs: writing scenarios and response options, creating response instructions, and selecting a response format. This review describes scoring options, including key stretching and within-person standardization. The authors also describe research on psychometric issues that affect SJTs, including reliability, validity, group differences, presentation modes, faking, and coaching.

Recommended Citation

Whetzel, Deborah L.; Sullivan, Taylor S.; and McCloy, Rodney A. (2020) "Situational Judgment Tests: An Overview of Development Practices and Psychometric Characteristics," Personnel Assessment and Decisions: Number 6 : Iss. 1 , Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/pad.2020.01.001
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/pad/vol6/iss1/1

Corresponding Author Information

Deborah L. Whetzel

dwhetzel@humrro.org

Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) 66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 700 Alexandria, VA 22314-1591