To correct or not to correct for range restriction, that is the question: Looking back and ahead to move forward

Abstract

Sackett et al. (2023) start their focal article by stating that they identified “previously unnoticed flaws” in range restriction (RR) corrections in most validity generalization (VG) meta-analyses of selection procedures reviewed in their 2022 article. Following this provocative opening statement, they discuss how both researchers and practitioners have handled (and should handle) RR corrections in estimating the operational validity of a selection procedure in both VG metaanalyses (whose input studies are predominantly concurrent studies) and individual validation studies (which serve as input to VG meta-analyses). The purpose of this commentary is twofold. We first provide an essential review of Sackett et al.’s (2022) three propositions serving as the major rationales for their recommendations regarding RR corrections (e.g., no corrections for RR in concurrent validation studies). We then provide our critical analyses of their rationales and recommendations regarding RR corrections to put them in perspective, along with some additional thoughts.