DIFFERENCES IN ACCURACY OF ABSOLUTE AND COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE-APPRAISAL METHODS

The primary question of this experiment was whether absolute and compa rative performance appraisal ratings differ in terms of four component s of accuracy: differential elevation (DE), differential accuracy (DA) , elevation (EL), and stereotype accuracy (SA). Because comparative pe rformance appraisal methods often use global items (overall performanc e dimensions), whereas certain absolute performance appraisal methods utilize specific items (critical incidents), the effect of specific ve rsus global items was also investigated. Eighty participants viewed fo ur videotaped lecturers and rated their performance 24 h later with bo th absolute and comparative performance appraisal methods which used b oth specific and global item-types. No advantages were associated with the absolute rating method, however, comparative ratings were more ac curate than absolute ratings with respect to DA and SA. Global items r esulted in greater DE and EL accuracy than did specific; however, the converse was true with respect to DA and SA accuracy. Implications for the practice of performance appraisal are discussed. (C) 1997 Academi c Press.