Question

You have been given a job analysis for a position of Welder at a factory and have been asked to design a new selection instrument, a knowledge-based test. The welder job is an established position with a large number of current incumbents and a large number of unfilled positions. You need to establish the validity of the new knowledge-based test. Describe how you would examine the criterion-related validity of this test. Be as specific as possible.

Answer 1

I have been given a job analysis for a position of Welder at a factory and have been asked to design a new selection instrument, a knowledge-based test. The welder job is an established position with a large number of current incumbents and a large number of unfilled positions. I need to establish the validity of the new knowledge-based test also.

Welder Position at Factory: Welder position is a position profile at operator level or worker level or labor level, which use to perform the welding operation at the factor as per the welding requirements at the factory. This is skilled job as it calls for execution of proper welding, the welding operation has a risk as well, because it may easily lead to safety issue at the plant. Welding process uses the high source of energy in hot form and melts the given metals for making a joint of given metals.

The knowledge based test for welding position is as below:

S	Questions	Excellent	Good	Average	Poor	Below Average
1	What is a welding operation and how many types of welding processes are available?
2	What are the safety precautions to be taken while welding operations?
3	What are all equipments needed for welding process and how it is performed?
4	How long experience do you have for welding work?
5	How can you manage welding work at factory?

Validity of the knowledge based test: This test will be valid for recruitment of employees for welding work, as it will ensure that the candidates are having basic required knowledge on the subject and are capable of doing the welding operation in the factory. This test will help in assessing the knowledge on welding, safety precautions of welding and their expertise in welding process so far. How they are well placed in managing the welding operations.

Criteria related to validity is as below: The purpose of criteria is to assess that the points covered in the criteria are suitable for the assessment of the candidate’s capability and skill sets. Thus the criteria related to validity is as below

Validity criteria to ensure following points

• Knowledge of the welding operations.
• Skill sets for executing the welding operation.
• Basic management of welding operation.
• Experience of welding operation
• Safety involved in welding operation.