Rank‐ordered matching—validity studies utilising qualitative data: A proposed model and some empirical results

The classic paradigm of a validity study in personnel selection and in other personality assessment procedures requires that the predictor and the criterion should be quantifiable. However, in actuality there are many situations when either the predictor or the criterion or both cannot be meaningfully represented numerically. In this paper, a rank‐ordered matching method is proposed to deal with the validation of qualitative materials. The method was applied to an occupational setting. Holistic reports written by experienced psychologists, on the basis of protocols of ability and personality tests were found to be significantly valid (median g = 0.48). Holistic reports written by experienced graphologists, on the basis of hand written scripts were found to be invalid (median g = 0.00) 1993 Australian Psychological Society