Strategy for a priori Selection of Judges in a Product-Centered Approach to Assessment of Creativity

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop a procedure for the a priori selection of judges of creative products which could be employed irrespective of the field in which the products occur. Experts in art, science, writing, and music responded, via a modified Q-sort, to multiple criteria for a creative product. Obverse factor-analytic techniques were employed to reduce the rank of the subject covariance matrix and determine specific judge types. Sets of judges, with homogeneous perceptions of criteria for a creative product, were determined, and, it was shown that homogeneity of judgment was independent of discipline. Furthermore, the method appeared relevant to any situation in which judges are required and for which criteria may be delineated.