280 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 
numbers are often small and the variables in the criteria used are not capable of 
estimation. It is quite likely in such cases that the subjective estimate of a supervisor 
summed up in a general statement that the candidates passed by the selection tests 
are on the whole better than those not so selected is a better proof by direct observation 
than the evidence of correlation coefficients obtained by the statistical treatment of 
data of doubtful reliability and complicated by many undeterminable variables. 
The tests are very varied in character, and in many instances they closely imitate 
some part of the work which the candidate will subsequently have to perform. Though 
this type of test may give good results in practice, it does not do much towards 
advancing knowledge of the fundamental factors involved in any particular oceupa- 
tion, and cannot be applied to the more general problems of vocational guidance. 
An example of a group of tests of this type is given in Appendix B. 
In some cases tests of a more analytic type are given. These tests are sometimes 
weighted or the candidate’s ability may be rated according to the ‘ profile’ obtained. 
An example of this type is given in Appendix C. 
Though the forms of the tests varied, an analysis of those in general use shows a 
number of well-marked and apparently related types. Thus many of the tests require 
from the candidate a sequence of similar reactions, and the total time taken is a 
summation of the individual reactions. An example of this type is the pegging test. 
The initial stimulus is given in the instructions, and the candidate repeats a series of 
similar reactions till the test is completed. 
In Appendix D some examples are given of tests which appear to measure similar 
activities. These types are sometimes used in widely differing occupations. 
Some of the tests collected have been in use in various branches of industry for 
a considerable time, and their utility has in many cases been reasonably well 
demonstrated in careful follow-up of records. 
It would be interesting to ascertain whether these tests, which apparently measure 
similar abilities, would, if applied to a sufficiently large group, show a significant 
intercorrelation. ; 
A further analysis of these tests and the abilities which they measure might con- 
ceivably reveal some tests of high reliability, which are of a diagnostic value that would 
be useful in the vocational guidance of children entering industrial occupations. 
It is requested that a grant of £20 be allocated towards carrying out the work of 
further analysis of the tests collected, the application of selected tests to a group of 
subjects, and the subsequent treatment of results. 
APPENDIX A. 
Bergmann-Elektricitats-Werke, Berlin. 
A. Borsig, Berlin-Tegel. 
Bureau of Psychotechnical Research, Warsaw. 
Commissariat du Peuple des Postes et des Telegraphes, Moscow. 
Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft, Vienna. 
yanz & Co., Budapest. 
Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks, Gelsenkirchen. 
Handworkers Preparatory School, Oslo, Norway. 
Institut fiir Industrielle Psychotechnik, Charlottenburg. 
Fried. Krupp, Germania-Werft, Kiel. 
Fried. Krupp, Essen. 
Linke-Hofmann-Werke, Breslau. 
Osram Kommanditges, Berlin. 
Office Intercommunal pour I’ Orientation Professionelle, Brussels. 
Psychotechnical Department of Central Labour Office, Copenhagen. 
Psychotechnisches Institut, Zurich. 
Philips’ Glowlamp Works, Eindhoven, Holland. : 
Psychotechnisches Laboratorium der Technischen Hochschule, Stuttgart. 
Stork Machine Factory, Hengolo, Holland. 
State Railways, Prague. 
Swiss Federal Railways, Berne. 
Société des Transports en commun de la Région Parisienne, Paris. 
Verband Berliner Metall-Industrieller, Berlin. 
Vitkovice Mines, Steel & Iron Works Corporation, Vitkovice, Czechoslovakia. 
K. Zeiss, Jena. 
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