Weighting merit rating items

Abstract

In combining merit ratings into one total score, it frequently happens that each trait is allowed to weight itself in a haphazard order; for scores weight themselves automatically according to their variability. How this comes about, is illustrated by both a hypothetical and an actual case. The illogicality of the results is evident. The solution proposed is that all scores be transformed into Z-scores before they are combined. Any desired weighting can then be obtained by multiplying the scores by the appropriate weights. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)