Standard deviation and ranking applicants

Axoliien

Senior member
Mar 6, 2002
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I am examining our current process of ranking applicants where I work so we can replicate this in our new HR software system. The calculation is as follows:

Applicants may take several exams. These exams have raw scores and are weighted. Once the applications are completed, we calculate our standardized score using a z-score as follows:

Sscore = 6*((raw score - avg score) / std deviation) + 76

This is then added back to the raw scores and then rankings are taken. What I don't get is why the (6*) and the (+76) in this calculation? This could be the only score given to an applicant, so what good does this do other than raise the minimum final total and expand the bell curve? No one from HR knows why it's there either and it's completely undocumented. Any thoughts?

Also, if you know how your rankings are done in a metered and ranked hiring process, let me know because I would be interested to hear. No need to say "we just hire the best person" because our company requires these scores to prove equal hiring practices.
 

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
13,076
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it looks like the 6* and +76 are there because whoever designed the ranking system wanted to base the # off of a 0-100 scale, but thats just me :p
 

Axoliien

Senior member
Mar 6, 2002
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I thought they wanted it on a 0-100 scale, but when they add the raw scores, they get things in any range from 0 to N, and it doesn't have to end at 100. If an applicant gets an oral score of 90 and a written of 65, they start with a score of 155 and then add the standardized score on top...
 

ryan256

Platinum Member
Jul 22, 2005
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Originally posted by: Turkish
I hated statistics in college. This reminds me, I still do.

Only thing my statistics class taught me is never trust them. They are too easily manipulated.
 
Dec 26, 2007
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76
Originally posted by: ryan256
Originally posted by: Turkish
I hated statistics in college. This reminds me, I still do.

Only thing my statistics class taught me is never trust them. They are too easily manipulated.

Statistics is the study of how well data can be manipulated to suit your own purposes.
 

djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
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Originally posted by: bonkers325
it looks like the 6* and +76 are there because whoever designed the ranking system wanted to base the # off of a 0-100 scale, but thats just me :p

Agreed.

People might be confused by the z-scores...

 

sactoking

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2007
7,655
2,935
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Ranking, for any reason, is Management's abdication of responsibility. If you are ranked at work, you're cheating yourself.
 

rsd

Platinum Member
Dec 30, 2003
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What kind of work is this? I can think of many "smart" people that you couldn't make me work with regardless of them getting a "high" score. I think there is a lot more to hiring someone than just their technical knowledge, but it depends to a certain degree on the line of work.