Fair Usage of the 16PF in Personality Assessment in South Africa: A Response to Abrahams and Mauer with Special Reference to Issues of Research Methodology

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the influence exerted in recent years in South Africa by new legislation and regulatory authorities on personality assessment research and instrument development, the present article highlights important research methodology issues pertaining to the cultural fairness of the 16PF®. The article is a deliberate comment upon the work of Abrahams (1996) and Abrahams and Mauer (1999a, 1999b). As a result, the relevant aspects are illustrated practically and empirically by referring to recent, current and intended South African research. Personality assessment research and instrument development are assumed to require a symbiotic relationship between test developers and test users. The relevant roles and responsibilities of each of the two groups are discussed. A particularly salient brief is to find common ground about methodological issues, the practical usefulness of the relevant assessment devices, user proficiency in administering and interpreting tests, and understanding how research processes intend ensuring quality tools. Some of the issues illustrated in more detail by referring to HSRC and other research on the SA92 and Fifth Editions of the 16PF® are mean scores and their meaning, subgroup differences, language proficiency, research samples and target populations, statistical techniques, and test material as such.