Implementing evidence-based assessment and selection in organizations: A review and an agenda for future research

• Published in: Organizational psychology review Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 205 - 239
• Main Authors: Neumann, Marvin, Niessen, A. Susan M., Meijer, Rob R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.2021
• Subjects: assessment; statistical and clinical judgment and prediction; evidence-based selection; decision-making; scientist-practitioner gap
• ISSN: 2041-3866; 2041-3874
• DOI: 10.1177/2041386620983419

In personnel- and educational selection, a substantial gap exists between research and practice, since evidence-based assessment instruments and decision-making procedures are underutilized. We provide an overview of studies that investigated interventions to encourage the use of evidence-based assessment methods, or factors related to their use. The most promising studies were grounded in self-determination theory. Training and autonomy in the design of evidence-based assessment methods were positively related to their use, while negative stakeholder perceptions decreased practitioners’ intentions to use evidence-based assessment methods. Use of evidence-based decision-making procedures was positively related to access to such procedures, information to use it, and autonomy over the procedure, but negatively related to receiving outcome feedback. A review of the professional selection literature showed that the implementation of evidence-based assessment was hardly discussed. We conclude with an agenda for future research on encouraging evidence-based assessment practice.