the technical stuff behind our assessments
why we chose Profiles International
the scientific background to our assessments
validation (BPS, EFPA)
who designs our assessments
developing our products
our technical manuals
ongoing research and improvement
the Association of Test Publishers (ATP)
why we chose Profiles International
Anova Communications Group chose Profiles International as its assessment
supplier not only because of the range of tools which meet the demands of
today’s management problems but because of their reliability and validity
testing. All reliability and validity testing is “in country”
based to ensure cultural differences including language are taken into account.
This is the background to the development of the world’s most up to
date assessments for business.
[top]
the scientific background to our assessments
We confidently stand behind our products knowing that they are effectively
utilised by thousands of our clients everyday. The research which lead to
their development was conducted by qualified professionals following the guidelines
for test development endorsed by the American Psychological Association. We
are proud to put our name on every product that we provide and pleased to
furnish to our clients the many benefits that our assessments provide for
them—helping them place the right people in the right jobs.
[top]
validation
Profiles products are all subject to very intensive validation by our team
of psychologists.
Every scale in every product is rigorously validated to ensure that its performance exceeds independent standards set for such measures. This process of validation is an ongoing process, whereby updated validation results are released annually (approximately). Over time the sample group for the studies driving this analysis grows as more individuals take the assessment, and this additional data contributes greatly to the validation process. For example, at the time of going to press more than 900,000 benchmark results formed input to the validation study published in detail in the Technica Manual for the Profile XT (PXT). This sample size is unprecedented in an industry where sample sizes of several hundred are closer to the norm.
Where possible external bodies are involved in the development process. In
the UK the British Psychological Society (BPS) with over 42,000 members
provides a focus for psychological testing through its testing centre (PTC).
This centre has developed a review process for independent review of assessments
against a rigorous template. Profiles International is a listed supplier of
psychometric assessments on the BPS test publishers site (www.psychtesting.org.uk).
We are in the process of submitting our products for peer-level review by
the BPS, and expect the first results of this process to be published in Q1
2006.
Dr. Scott Hamilton, Profiles Head of Research and Development is a member
of the BPS.
The European Federation of Psychological Associations (EFPA) with its 32 country members representing 180,000 psychologists uses an assessment review similar to that used by the BPS. The Profile XT (PXT) will be the first of our assessments submitted for review and this will be conducted in Norway Q1 2006 after which the template for that successful application will be adapted for use across the EU.
[top]
who designs our assessments?
Each product is designed to meet the specific business needs of our clients
by a specialized product development team. This team is headed by Dr. Scott
Hamilton, Profiles International Senior Vice president for Research and Development,
a project manager from our R & D staff, appropriate Profiles International
staff members from marketing and information systems and often a carefully
selected consulting industrial/organizational psychology firm. We control
the design, development, programming, testing and final production of our
products.
[top]
developing our products
The research behind our assessments supports their reliability and validity
in business settings. The actual questions that are found in these products
have survived a testing and selection process that has reduced as many as
500 items in a research pool down to less than 20% of its initial size. The
questions that we use have been researched and have demonstrated good reliability
and appropriate validity in identifying a specific trait or factor. Used as
designed, our products have become an indispensable part of the selection
and evaluation process for over 20,000 Profiles International Inc. clients.
[top]
our technical manuals
The technical manuals for our products reflect the research and development
work done as a part of the process to bring the product to you. They have
been written in clear language to facilitate their understanding. These manuals
are continually updated to reflect the results of the latest research on each
product.
[top]
ongoing research and improvement
The products of Profiles International Inc. are always evolving into more
effective instruments. We are continually working with the users of our products
to research the effect that using our products has on their business. We utilize
the feedback from our clients, as well as the results of ongoing research,
to modify the products when warranted.
Detailed technical manuals are available on request. Contact us
[top]
Association of Test Publishers (ATP)
The ATP was established in 1992 as a non-profit organisation representing
providers of tests and assessments tools and/or services related to assessment,
selection, screening, certification, licensing, educational or clinical uses.
Member organisations in the ATP represent the major publishers of assessments
throughout the industry worldwide.
Dr. Scott Hamilton, Profiles International's Head of Research and Development
serves as a board member of the ATP.
[top]
