Psychology of the Scientist: XX. Cross-Validation of Biographical Information Predictor Keys across Diverse Samples of Scientists

Abstract

A study investigating the generalizability of biographical characteristics from physical scientists (NASA) to scientists involved in pharmaceutical research (RMI) was reported. The criterion in both samples was the rated creative performance of the individual scientists. A key developed on over 2,000 (NASA) scientists was applied to the test protocols of 157 (RMI) scientists. The resulting Pearson product-moment correlation was .35 ( P < .01). A multiple R of .39 ( P < .01) resulted when the NASA Creativity Key was combined with the NASA Off-Line Key (designed to correct for distortion in response). A comparison of the predictive validities of the keys developed within the RMI sample and the NASA keys indicated that the NASA-derived keys were nearly equivalent in their ability to predict the RMI creativity criterion. Cognizance of the fact that, while the cross-predictions were statistically significant, a large portion of the criterion variance remains unaccounted for was made and a possible source of error variance in the criterion was briefly discussed.