M. Phil. (Industrial Psychology) / Orientation: Assessment centres (ACs) are a popular method of assessment, as they offer a direct, practical link to the required job, which link is not inferred but observed through candidate behaviour. Given the popularity of ACs in South Africa and how content is often borrowed from the USA, research in the applicability of US content in South Africa is justified. Research purpose: The main purpose of this study was to determine whether the selected US-developed virtual assessment centre (VAC) appeared to measure what it claimed to, and to determine whether the content found within the VAC is suitable for South Africa. Motivation for the study: A solid pre-statistical foundation of content forms the backbone of assessing validity. Content validation analysis is well-suited to analysing the relevance of AC simulations in a specific cultural context. The case exists that too often content validation is either implied, or that no more than a paragraph is deemed sufficient to explain content validation efforts. Research design: A content evaluation schedule was developed that covered seven content validation dimensions and consisted of 50 items. 13 Subject matter experts (SMEs) and 9 experienced middle level managers, who were considered functional experts (FEs), were tasked to assess an imported VAC using the developed evaluation schedule. Main findings: This study indicated that the VAC appears to measure what it purports to, and that the content found within the VAC is suitable for use in the South African context. Practical/Managerial implications: Content created in the USA can be assessed for relevance and applicability for use in South Africa through content validation. Contribution and value add: This study contributes to AC literature and assessment methodology by demonstrating the importance and utility of content validation. Importers and developers of AC content may use this study’s techniques to validate content so as to meet legislative requirements and ensure domain relevance of content.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:7627 |
| Date | 18 July 2013 |
| Creators | Müller, Klaus-Peter |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johanesburg |
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