Appraisal Criteria

Appraisal criteria refer to the characteristics or variables selected for the purpose of assessing an individual or process within evaluation frameworks such as personnel selection (e.g., foreign language skills), personnel appraisals (e.g., performance on a specific task), and training evaluation (e.g., changes in behavior). Without clearly defined criteria, an assessment cannot take place. These criteria are normatively defined variables assumed to be relevant for capturing the object of assessment with both structural accuracy and content validity.

Role and Importance of Appraisal Criteria

Appraisal criteria serve as guiding principles or attention rules that help appraisers structure their perception and cognitive processes during the assessment. By narrowing the focus, criteria help to prevent information overload and ensure that evaluations remain targeted and relevant. They are designed to make the assessment process manageable and focused on the most important elements of performance.

Requirements of Appraisal Criteria

While appraisal criteria are essential for the evaluation process, they should not be viewed as an end in themselves. It is critical to define requirement criteria in advance to ensure that the appraisal criteria meet the necessary standards for accuracy, fairness, and relevance. These requirement criteria outline the specific qualities that the appraisal criteria must possess, ensuring that the assessment process is effective.

Impact of Appraisal Criteria on Results

At the conclusion of the assessment period, it is essential to evaluate how the selection and application of appraisal criteria has impacted the results. Understanding whether these criteria have effectively captured the relevant characteristics is crucial for improving future assessments.