HR Exam 2 Practice Questions

Organizations use a process known as _____ to decide which applicants will or will not be allowed into the organization.

personnel selection

The degree to which a measure is free from random error defines its level of _____.

reliability

In order for a test to have _____, it must be reliable.

validity

When there is a substantial correlation between test scores and job-performance scores, then _____ validity can be established.

criterion-related

If standout employees score high on a specific trait, then a company using concurrent validation will likely use scores on this trait to do which of the following?

screen new hires

Which of the following are generic selection standards used in deciding who will be allowed into organizations?

reliability, validity, legality

The personnel selection measure that is based on how consistent something is over time or over different contexts is called _____.

reliability

Which of the following are contexts over which we typically generalize selection methods?

Different organizations, Different samples of people, Different jobs

In terms of job selection and placement, the extent to which a given measure of performance is related to performance on the job is known as _____.

validity

If an empirical association can be shown to exist between a selection measure and scores for job performance, the _____ of a selection method can be established.

validity

The process known as _____ validation involves testing individuals presently performing a job and then attempting to establish a correlation between those test scores and existing measures of job performance.

concurrent

Which of following characteristics are generally indicative of a selection method's utility?

generalizability, reliability, validity

Which of the following statements are true about the practice of illegal discrimination in employee selection methods?

Illegal discrimination can lead to costly litigation, illegal discrimination is associated with expensive legal settlements and awards, illegal discrimination can damage a company's social reputation.

Recent research indicates that tests show different levels of subgroup validity.

False

Questions that pertain to specific situations that are likely to arise in the course of the job are asked as part of a(n) _____ interview.

situational

_____ is the degree to which the information provided by selection methods enhances the bottom-line effectiveness of the organization.

utility

Which statements refer to the legality of employee selection methods?

The methods should conform to existing legal precedents, The methods should follow existing laws.

Evidence concerning the reliability and validity of reference checks indicates that they are _____ predictors of future performance and success on the job.

weak

Situational interview items have _____ predictive validity.

high

Which of the following are classes of physical ability tests?

Coordination, Cardiovascular endurance, Muscular endurance

Tests that differentiate people on the basis of mental rather than physical capacities are known as _____ ability tests.

cognitive

Which of the following are among the five major dimensions measured in a personality inventory?

adjustment, agreeableness, extroversion

Reference letters are unreliable predictors of job success primarily because most of them are _____.

excessively positive

Which of the following are benefits of using video-based role-play over traditional paper-and-pencil methods?

It has higher levels of predictive validity, It is more engaging for applicants.

Which of the following groups of applicants can be adversely affected by physical ability tests?

Applicants with disabilities, female applicants

What are two social trends in the United States that have affected the need for drug-use tests among employees?

The legal status of marijuana use has changed in many states even though it remains illegal under federal law for many occupations, the number of overdose cases involving opioids and other drugs in the workplace has been increasing.

Cognitive ability tests are designed to measure an individual's _____.

mental capacity

The personality dimension known as _____ is described as how good-natured, forgiving, and courteous a person is.

agreeableness

Evidence concerning the reliability and validity of reference checks indicates that they are _____ predictors of future performance and success on the job.

weak

In order to predict future job performance by simulating a job through things like hypothetical case studies and role play, applicants are sometimes asked to take _____ tests.

work-sample

Which of the following are forms of honesty tests commonly used by U.S. companies today?

Tests inquiring about associations with others who have stolen from employers, Tests with questions about admitting to past theft, Tests for social conformity and conscientiousness

In a continuous learning system, which of the following are employees expected to do?

obtain new skills, share their learning with coworkers, implement new skills on the job

Which term describes a systematic approach for developing training programs?

training design process

What is needs assessment in the training design process?

figuring out if training is needed

What are the factors that most encourage an employee to learn the content of a training program?

directing energy toward learning, having the energy to learn, wanting to learn

Which of the following statements about a successful learning environment are true?

The training context should be similar to the work environment, Trainees should demonstrate and practice what is learned.

What learning system requires employees to understand the entire work process and expects them to acquire new skills, apply them on the job, and share what they have learned with other employees?

continuous learning

Which of the following factors influence the transfer of training?

The trainee has the chance to apply what he or she has learned, The trainee has developed the ability to self-manage, The manager supports the trainee.

What is the first step in a training design process?

to figure out if training is necessary for current employees

Which of the following statements is true about training methods?

The use of online learning, mobile learning, and blended learning is expected to increase.

Which of the following "pressure points" suggest that training might be necessary?

Employees are lacking in basic skills, Employees are using a new software program, Employees' jobs are being restructured.

What is the first step when selecting a training method?

Identify the type of learning outcome that is hoped for.

In order for employees to learn, they must have both _____, characteristics that provide them with the desire, energy, and focus necessary to learn from training, and _____, the desire of the trainee to learn the content of the training program.

readiness for training; motivation to learn

What outcomes should be measured to assess employees' transfer of training?

results

Idris is in a training session to learn how to use the new company accounting system. Part of the training involves working through a sample project using the software. Idris is paired with someone who has already gone through the training so that Idris can ask questions as he works through the project and get immediate answers. Idris' training is an example of _____.

learning by doing

Why might expatriates fail at a foreign assignment?

They may not have the appropriate personality characteristics, They may not have enough cross-cultural preparation, They may have a spouse and family who are unhappy living abroad.

When employees apply the skills they learned in training to their jobs, _____ of training has occurred.

transfer

What is the most frequently used training method?

the instructor-led classroom

What is the most appropriate training method to use when the training budget is very restrictive and fixed?

structured on-the-job training

Which of the following forms the component of effective diversity management programs?

Manager Accountability

Which is the best training outcome measure?

depends on the training goals

What qualities do expatriates need in order to succeed overseas?

aware of and responsive to host culture, capable and experienced at their job, encouraged by spouse and families

When a new hire joins a company, the new hire goes through an orientation process to learn about company policies as well as performance expectations. What is the name of this process?

onboarding

If a company wants to see results of its diversity efforts, it must first and foremost _____.

make a long-term commitment to managing diversity

connection is…

understand and develop working and interpersonal relations

culture is…

understand company history, traditions, values, norms, mission

clarification is…

understand job and performance expectations

compliance is…

understand company policies, rules, and regulations

Which of the following are the first two steps in the performance management process?

Identify and develop performance measures for key performance dimensions, Identify the company's goals and objectives.

Which of the following are purposes of an organization's performance management system?

strategic, administrative, developmental

Which of the following are important criteria for evaluating a performance management system?

acceptability, reliability, specificity

Job performance management systems that bring out job performance that is in line with the strategies, goals, and culture of the organization is said to have _____.

strategic congruence

When a performance measure assesses all relevant aspects of performance, and only the relevant aspects of performance, that measure test is considered _____.

valid

Which of the following statements about the process of performance management is true?

To be effective, performance management should not be an event but a process.

If two individuals give a person's job performance approximately the same evaluation, the performance measure has _____.

interrater reliability

Communication, documentation, and organization maintenance are several of the basic purposes of an organization's _____ performance system.

management

Donaldto just went through his performance evaluation. His manager gave him timely and complete feedback about areas needing improvement and training available to help him. Donaldto disagreed with his manager's assessment and decided not to make any changes to his work performance. Which criterion of performance measure is exemplified by Donaldto's reaction?

acceptability

After a company has decided the kind of performance it expects from employees, it must develop _____.

ways to measure performance

Why is flexibility important in a performance management system for achieving strategic congruence?

to adapt to changes in the company's strategic posture

When a performance measure does not measure all aspects of performance, it is considered _____.

deficit

A performance measure that does a good job of telling employees what is expected of them and how to meet those expectations is said to have a high level of _____.

specificity

Consistency in performance is a measure of _____.

reliability

The acceptability of a performance measure is determined, in part, by the extent to which the employees believe the performance management system is _____.

fair

What should effective performance evaluations systems measure?

objectives, behaviors

Which of the following are examples of comparative approaches?

paired comparison, ranking, forced distribution

What term describes an approach to performance management that involves focusing on certain traits or characteristics possessed by individuals that are thought to be related to the company's success?

attribute

Specificity is relevant to which of the following aspects of performance management?

employee development, achieving strategic goals

Managers who attempt to define which behaviors employees have to exhibit in order to effectively complete their job are using the _____ approach to performance management.

behavioral or BARS

The results approach assumes that _____ can be eliminated from the process of measuring the results of a work group.

subjectivity

Which of the following statements is true about approaches to measuring performance?

There is no one best approach to measuring performance but all should measure what is accomplished and how it is accomplished.

Which of the following would be expected in a performance management system that is designed with a strong quality orientation?

an emphasis on cooperation in performance problem solving between managers and employees, use of multiple sources in the evaluation of person and system factors, involvement of both internal and external customers to set standards and measure performance

Chelan is a manager and must measure the performance of her employees. The method she uses requires her to analyze the performance of each employee in relation to other workers. What is the approach that Chelan will be using?

comparative

Which of the following steps are part of the attribute approach?

evaluating whether individuals posses certain desired traits, defining a set of desired traits

Who of the following are primary sources of performance information of an employee?

self, direct reports, customers

Once effective behaviors have been defined, the behavioral approach requires managers to assess _____.

how well employees exhibit them

Which approach to performance management involves managing objective measures of outcomes of a job or work group?

results

Which of the following is the most frequently used source of performance information?

managers

Which performance management approach involves a preventative approach to errors, continuous improvement, and a customer orientation?

quality

Which of the following statements is true about peer evaluations?

Peer evaluations can be more motivating than managers' evaluations.

Before a performance management system is implemented, an organization must first decide whom to use: as the source of the performance measures.

as the source of the performance measures.

What term describes a performance appraisal process in which subordinates evaluate their manager?

upward feedback

Which of the following statements are true about managers as sources of performance information?

Managers know about their employees' job requirements, Managers have the ability to rate their employees.

Which of the following statements about self-ratings are true?

Employees tend to inflate their ratings, Ratings should not be the sole source of performance information.

When is it appropriate to use customer evaluations of employee performance?

when the evaluations serve a strategic goal, when the job involves direct service to the customer

Peer evaluations are particularly useful to management when _____.

supervisors are not often able to observe the employee

What term is used to describe systems like Yammer that allow employees to quickly exchange information, provide coaching, and receive recognition?

social performance management

Employees who report to a manager are known as _____.

direct reports

Which of the following is the best use of self-ratings?

as a way for the employee to prepare for performance feedback

Tova works for a mobile business that grooms dogs. She visits clients' homes to groom their pets and is always in the field. Which of the following would be the best source of information for her performance review?

customers

Which of the following are potential conditions under which appraisal politics are more likely to take place?

There are competing goals, Raters are accountable in some way to the person being rated. There is a direct linkage between performance appraisal and highly desirable rewards.