An explication of the selection ratio and its relationship to hiring rate

Abstract

Two quite different definitions of the term selection ratio appear to have emerged in the literature. The first is a population parameter representing the proportion of acceptable applicants or more specifically, the proportion of individuals in the population scoring above some cutting score. The second equates the selection ratio with the hiring rate. Whether hiring rate (as a sample description) can be considered a useful estimate of the selection ratio depends on whether examinees can be considered to be randomly sampled from the applicant population. In practical situations, equating selection ratio and hiring rate can lead to serious errors. It is recommended that use of the terms selection ratio and hiring rate be restricted to their appropriate contexts. (16 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)