THE INTERVIEW. II. AIDS TO THE INTERVIEW. THE CONFIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Abstract : A personal-history type of questionnaire was evaluated as a screening and selection device of submarine personnel. Responses of 1198 submarine candidates were analyzed for a description of the candidates and for reliability and validity of the items. The description of submarine candidates was made in terms of contrast with the description of recruits and receiving-station personnel. The submarine candidates differed from both groups; however, the most contrasting groups were the receiving-station personnel and the recruites. Reliability was indicated for factual type items, and validity was indicated for items pertaining to educational attainment. The distribution of responses on personality-type queries did not provide any empirical basis for selecting successful candidates. A recommended revised questionnaire is appended.