The Occupational Performance Assessment–Response Distortion (OPerA-RD) Scale

Abstract. The ubiquity and consequences of job performance evaluations necessitate accurate responding. This paper describes two studies designed to develop (Study 1) and provide initial validation (Study 2) for a new measure specifically designed to assist in this context: the Occupational Performance Assessment–Response Distortion (OPerA-RD) scale. This 20-item scale is contextualized to the workplace and was developed by identifying items that could detect over- and under-reporting of job performance by self- or other-report in four independent faking samples. Initial validation of the OPerA-RD was supported by expected differences between within-group faking and control conditions in subsequent samples, specifically over- and under-reporting of job performance by self- or other-reports. Implications for research and applied settings are discussed.