Three Approaches to the Investigation of Subgroup Bias in Performance Measurement: Review, Results, and Conclusions

Three methods of assessing subgroup bias in performance measurement commonly found in the literature are identified. After a review of these approaches, findings are reported from analyses of data collected in the United States Army's Project A (J. P. Campbell, 1987). Correlations between nonrating performance measures and supervisor ratings were generally not moderated by race, but correlations between nonrating indicators of negative performance and ratings assigned by peers were. In addition, significant interactions between rater and ratee race on performance ratings were not eliminated when variance in the nonrating measures was removed from the ratings provided by Black and White raters. Conclusions about the magnitude and nature of bias in supervisor and peer ratings are discussed.