SSPO Survey Methodology and Administration 3

Question 1

What does the term 'norm group' mean in the context of a police selection survey?

Accepted Answer

A representative sample used to establish comparative score benchmarks

Answer

A norm group is a reference sample whose scores are used to establish percentile ranks or standard scores, allowing individual results to be interpreted comparatively.

Question 2

An applicant's survey results flag a high score on 'negative impression management.' What behavior does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

The applicant deliberately portrayed themselves in an unfavorable light

Answer

Negative impression management (faking bad) occurs when a respondent endorses overly negative attributes, possibly to appear modest or to avoid selection.

Question 3

Which statistical measure is used to assess the internal consistency of a multi-item survey scale?

Accepted Answer

Cronbach's alpha

Answer

Cronbach's alpha measures how consistently items within a scale measure the same underlying construct, with values above 0.70 generally considered acceptable.

Question 4

A police agency uses the survey results to eliminate the bottom 20% of scorers before interviews. This practice is called:

Accepted Answer

Cut-score screening

Answer

Cut-score screening establishes a minimum threshold; candidates below it are eliminated, reducing the pool before subsequent evaluation stages.

Question 5

In survey design, 'double-barreled questions' are problematic because they:

Accepted Answer

Measure two separate concepts within a single item, making responses ambiguous

Answer

A double-barreled question asks about two things at once (e.g., 'Are you honest and reliable?'), making it impossible to interpret a single 'agree' or 'disagree' response.

(SSPO) Sigma Survey for Police Officers Practice Test

(SSPO) Sigma Survey for Police Officers Practice Test

SSPO Survey Methodology and Administration 3