Psychometric comparison of paper-and-pencil and online personality assessments in a selection setting

Abstract

The goal of the study was to determine whether the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32i) yielded comparable results when two different modes of administration, namely paper and-pencil and Internet- based administration, were used in real-life, high-stakes selection settings. Two studies were conducted in which scores obtained online in unproctored settings were compared with scores obtained during proctored paper-and-pencil settings. The psychometric properties of the paper-and-pencil and Internet-based applications were strikingly similar. Structural equation modelling with EQS indicated substantial support for the hypothesis that covariance matrices of the paper-and-pencil and online applications in both studies were identical. It was concluded that relationships between the OPQ32i scales were not affected by mode of administration or supervision.

How to cite this article:
Joubert, T., & Kriek, H.J. (2009). Psychometric comparison of paper and-pencil and online personality assessments in a selection setting. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology/ SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 35(1), Art. #727, 11 pages. DOI: 10.4102/sajip.v35i1.727