Weighting Content-Valid Composites: A Cautionary Note on Unit Weight

The Usefulness of Unit Weights in Creating Composite Scores

“…It has been suggested that use of unit weights may be associated with a loss of predictive efficiency relative to regression weights (e.g., Doverspike et al, 1996;O'Leary et al, 2004). However, our review of the methodological literature clearly suggests that unit weights, within some limitations noted above, have a strong record of predictive validity.…”

“…We conducted several searches (in psychometrics, applied psychology, statistics) in our effort to develop an integrated literature on unit weights. Interestingly, some recent literature in the area of applied psychology and personnel selection either (a) has been critical of the use of unit weights when a criterion was not available (i.e., content validation efforts) or (b) has suggested that practitioners might face some problems if considering unit weights (Arthur, Doverspike, & Barrett, 1996;Doverspike, Winter, Healy, & Barrett, 1996;O'Leary, O'Leary, & MacLane, 2004). Before providing some hypotheses and data specific to content validity, we summarize these criticisms and issues, and we provide additional thoughts based on our literature review above.…”

“…Unit weights have recently been alleged to be incompatible with content validation efforts (Arthur et al, 1996;O'Leary et al, 2004). This criticism is perhaps best summarized as follows: "When job analysis information suggests differences in the importance or weights of various job elements, then it would appear to be preferable, beneficial, or even necessary to incorporate this information into the decision making process concerning weights" (Arthur et al,p.…”

“…The use of unit weights has recently been claimed to be "somewhat arbitrary" (Arthur et al, 1996, p. 972; see also O'Leary et al, 2004), and it has been suggested that use of unit weights "may also clash with the opinions of incumbents, supervisors, and applicants who believe that certain knowledge, skill, or ability elements are clearly more important than others" (Doverspike et al, 1996, p. 260).…”

Christian identity: the apocalyptic style, political religion, palingenesis and neo‐fascism

“…94 According to O'Leary, while conspiracism 'strives to provide a spatial self-definition of the true community as set apart from the evils' spread by the scapegoated 'other', apocalypticism 'locates the problem of evil in time and looks forward to its imminent resolution' while warning that 'evil must grow in power until the appointed time'. 95 Minges cites O' Leary's discussion and then extends it to show the interrelatedness:…”