Interviewer scoring differences in student selection interviews

The importance and wide use of interviews for the selection of occupational therapy students and students in other health professions is well documented in the literature. However, rigorous analysis of problems involved with the use of interviews is, for the most part, lacking. This three-year study determined through analysis of variance procedures that individual interviewers on the average, score applicants differently when they use a structured rating form, and that the differences can have an effect on decisions to admit or reject an applicant. A discussion of methods for managing this problem is presented.