Question

Is clinical prediction the fairest way to combine assessment information about job applicants, or are the other methods (unit weighting, rational weighting, and multiple regression) fairer? Explain your decision.(350 words)

Answer 1

In terms of overall equality for applicants, medical prediction appears to have a significant deficiency because it is a subjective process of putting together data. This means that the individual biases that make the clinical prediction can penetrate the process. Quantitative methods for combining evaluation information are completely blind to the non-work-related characteristics of the individuals being evaluated and may therefore be considered fairer selection methods. However, there are times when clinical prediction is justified.

Circumstances such as very nearly equivalent candidates applying for the same position, the existence of international data that is obviously vital to job performance but is difficult to evaluate through conventional selection procedures, or highly idiosyncratic work characteristics that involve a more medical approach to selection