Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Psychology/Industrial-Organizational

Personality assessments are a valuable tool for selecting employees, as they are reasonably strong predictors of job performance while also demonstrating relatively small subgroup differences. Implementing personality tests in selection systems, however, may risk negative consequences due to the relatively poor applicant reactions they often evoke. Multiple approaches to improving applicant reactions have been studied, such as providing information about the predictive validity of the test or rewording the test to reflect a work frame-of-reference, with mixed success. It may be beneficial to explain the relatively little adverse impact of personality tests to applicants, similar to predictive validity explanations, as well as combining such a non-discrimination explanation with other interventions to produce stronger effects. To test this, participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions that represented various combinations of predictive validity explanations, non-discrimination explanations, and test frame-of-reference, completing a personality test in a hypothetical selection scenario. Results suggest that applicant reactions are most favorable when a single explanation is provided for a work frame-of-reference personality test, though providing both explanations was nearly as favorable. Exploratory analyses suggest that these findings may be attributable to both forms of explanations, but not test frame-of-reference, influencing perceptions of information known, thereby introducing redundancy between predictive validity and non-discrimination explanations. Implications of the results, limitations of study, and directions for future research are discussed.

Committee: Samuel McAbee Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Meagan Docherty Ph.D. (Committee Member); Scott Highhouse Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Occupational Psychology; Personality Psychology; Psychological Tests

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2017, Psychology

It is common for people to hold attitudes toward various objects. However, some people are more likely to engage in evaluation than others. This is assessed with the need to evaluate scale (NE; Jarvis & Petty, 1996). Research examining the motivational bases served by the NE scale is rare. One exception is Wright's (2014) dissertation which developing the two NE sub-scales (i.e. NE-expressing and NE-learning). These two NE sub-scales tap into the underlying motivational bases of the overall need to evaluate. The NE-expressing sub-scales taps most clearly into the value-expressive function of attitudes and the NE-learning sub-scales taps most clearly into the knowledge function. The goal of the current research is to explore people's need to evaluate further by providing evidence for differential predictive abilities of the two NE sub-scales. In Study 1, the ability of the scales to predict whether people prefer actions that are linked to their sub-scale scores over actions that are not was investigated. More specifically, we examined people's preference for different roles in an impending group discussion. The results showed that people who were higher on NE-expressing showed a higher preference for expressor role categories whereas people who were higher on NE-learning preferred learner roles more. In Studies 2 and 3, the link between the two sub-scales and the classic persuasion role-playing paradigm was examined. In this paradigm, people are assigned the role of generating arguments on a topic or receiving arguments generated by others. Two possible outcomes were explored. The matching hypothesis holds that as people's NE-expressing scores increase, they would prefer situations that allow them to express themselves, so would be more influenced when asked to generate persuasive messages than receive them. The opposite would hold as people's NE-learning scores increase. The mismatching hypothesis holds that as the NE-expressing scores increase, the opport (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Richard Petty (Advisor); Duane Wegener (Committee Member); Russell Fazio (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2014, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition

Objective: To evaluate the predictive validity of a home food environment (HFE) questionnaire to assess overall diet quality as measured by DASH score and fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents with elevated blood pressure. Method: A total of 96 adolescents aged 11-18 years with a diagnosis of pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension, newly enrolled in the Cincinnati Children's Hypertension Treatment Center were enrolled in this study. All participants were given a HFE questionnaire, which consisted of five scales that assessed psychosocial and physical aspects of the home environment related to eating. These scales were derived from previously published scales that were used to assess fruit and vegetable intake in healthy adolescents. All scales were scored with a 5 point Likert scale ranging from 1 (low/never) to 5 (high/frequently), except parent rules related to eating which, were summed and averaged, with a higher score indicating a greater use of food rules in the home. Weight and height were measured at the Center using standard procedures. Demographics were self-reported. Dietary intake data were collected with three random 24-hour dietary recalls by trained registered dietitians and then analyzed using the Minnesota Nutrient Data System for Research software. Multiple regression models were run to assess the associations between HFE scales and diet quality. Results: The study sample was 65.6 % male and 98.9 % non-Hispanic white; the prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI =85th percentile for age and gender) was 83.3%. Scale scores for healthy home food availability, parenting rules around eating, and frequency of eating family meal together were positively associated with participants' DASH score when adjusted for age, gender, race, BMI z-score, and energy intake (p<0.05). Scale scores for healthy home food availability and parenting rules around eating were also positively associated with participants' fruit intake when adjusted for age, gender, and (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sarah Couch Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Seung-Yeon Lee Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2013, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Criminal Justice

Actuarial risk assessments are a vital part of evidenced-based correctional intervention on the juvenile delinquent population. Risk assessments should demonstrate predictive validity to ensure appropriate and accurate use on a population of offenders (Bonta, 2002). The body of research on juvenile risk assessments indicates that many tools currently in use have predictive validity; however, research also indicates that the same instrument can create a range in predictive validity effect sizes across samples and settings (Andrews et al. 2011). The purpose of this dissertation is to re-validate the Ohio Youth Assessment System—Disposition Instrument (OYAS-DIS) and to explore the variation in predictive validity across county jurisdictions in Ohio. To test the predictive validity of the instrument, this study used a sample of 2,841 delinquent youth across 33 Ohio counties. Youth were followed for 12-months after the assessment date to measure if the youth had been rearrested, had a technical violation of their probation supervision, or any recidivism (a composite measure of the two former outcomes). Bivariate results indicated that the risk levels generated by the OYAS-DIS created three statistically significant groups based on recidivism rates and that the overall risk score was related to each measure of recidivism. Further, the results from multivariate binary logistic regression models provided evidence that as risk levels increased the likelihood of reoffending also increased. This study also found that significant variation existed across each dependent variable; however, results from stratified comparisons of county groups and multi-level models were mixed as to the cause of the variation. This dissertation also concludes with a discussion of potential avenues of future research on the topic.

Committee: Christopher Sullivan Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Alexander Holsinger Ph.D. (Committee Member); Edward Latessa Ph.D. (Committee Member); Lawrence Travis Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2005, Educational Research and Evaluation (Education)

MCAT scores and undergraduate GPA are two screening devices that are widely used by medical schools in the U.S. to select aspiring medical students. Given their widespread use, it is important that the validities of MCAT scores and undergraduate GPA be investigated to ensure the accuracy of medical school admission decisions. This study was therefore designed to address three important aspects of validation, namely, predictive validity of MCAT subtest scores and undergraduate GPA, differential validity, and differential prediction of the MCAT subtest scores. First, predictive validity was evaluated as an index of the relationship between the predictors, MCAT subtest scores and undergraduate GPA, and the criterion, first-year medical school GPA. Second, differential validity was assessed by comparing the magnitude of validity coefficients obtained as the correlation between first-year medical school GPA and MCAT subtest scores for men and women and for White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic medical students. Third, differential prediction was examined by testing for differences in the regression systems obtained for the different subgroups of examinees. The sample used in the study consisted of 3,187 students drawn from 1992 and 1993 cohorts of 14 medical schools. Statistical procedures utilized in the research included regression analysis, Fisher's z transformations, F-ratio test of equality of standard errors of estimate, and ANCOVA tests of equality of regression slopes and intercepts. Results obtained showed moderately high correlations between the predictors and the criterion. MCAT subtest scores and previous grades were individually good predictors of medical school freshman grades. The combination of MCAT subtest scores and undergraduate GPA was, however, a more powerful indicator of performance in the first-year of medical school. Differential validity results showed that in most cases women had higher validity coefficients compared to men. With regards to differe (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: George Johanson (Advisor) Subjects: Education, Tests and Measurements

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2005, Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Neuropsychological assessment is frequently requested for answering questions about real-world functioning. The ecological validity of neuropsychological instruments in making such predictions about older adults remains largely unknown. Only a handful of studies have examined relationships among cognitive and functional abilities and have suggested a moderate degree of relationship between global performance scores on functional and cognitive screening instruments. But relationships between performance on specific cognitive tests and within common functional domains have remained understudied. The relationships among a comprehensive range of neuropsychological tests, including the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS; Randolph, 1998), everyday functional skills measured using the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS; Loewenstein et al., 1989), measures of prospective memory from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT; Wilson, Cochburn, & Baddeley, 1991), and self- and caregiver-report of functional memory skill were presently evaluated among assisted-living community residents. RBANS total scores only accounted for slightly more variance (48%) than specific cognitive tests (43%) in prediction of DAFS performance, and superior prediction was made when combining both global and test-level in regression on DAFS (52%). Rate of explained variance improved to between 56% - 61% when prospective memory scores were summed with the criterion measure (IADL). Planned models were also used to illustrate the value of unconventional functional criteria relative to traditional IADL commonly used in the validation of cognitive measures. The present findings did not strongly support the use of report measures for the evaluation of everyday memory decline or functional skill in assisted-living populations.

Committee: Julie Suhr (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology, Clinical

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2013, Athletic Training (Health Sciences and Professions)

Context: The original and modified Ottawa Ankle Rules (OARs) were developed as clinical decision rules (CDRs) for the emergency department setting. However, these CDRs have not been validated as an acute clinical evaluation tool. Currently, there are no sport-specific CDRs relating to acute ankle injuries. Objective: The objectives of this study were: to test the validity of the OARs in acute foot or ankle injury in a sport related setting and to evaluate the measures of diagnostic accuracy of specific predictor variables. Patients or Other Participants: The participants were athletic trainers assigned to university athletics, club sports, and high schools. Conclusions: The OARs did not reduce the number of unnecessary radiographs referred. The OARs in an acute setting had a high sensitivity and are good predictors to rule out the presence of a fracture. Low specificity results led to a high number of false positives and low positive predictive values. Adding one or more predictor variables may improve the validity of the OARs in the acute setting.

Committee: Chad Starkey (Advisor) Subjects: Demographics; Epidemiology; Health Care; Health Sciences; Sports Medicine