Optimal Linear Indexes for Some Selection Problems.

Abstract

The problem considered is that of constructing a linear index or linear combination of observable variates so as to maximize the correlation between the index and an unobservable criterion variate, subject to constraints that the correlations between the index and certain other criterion variates be equal to, greater than or equal to, or proportional to specified constants. Under certain circumstances, this problem is mathematically equivalent to that of deriving a selection procedure having a given intensity for choosing individuals or items from a population so as to maximize the post-selection mean of the primary criterion variate subject to restrictions on the post-selection means of the other criterion variates. A problem of this type occurs in selecting cadets for the Air Force Academy, where a battery of tests is administered to each candidate and the results are used in making the selections. Here, the success of a selection procedure is determined by the actual performance of the selected cadets at the Academy, as measured by criterion variates like academic score and military rating. Similar selection problems are commonplace in genetic settings. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0751257

Entities

People

  • David A. Harville
  • Thomas E. Reeves

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Intensity
  • Military Forces (United States)
  • Military Organizations
  • United States Air Force Academy

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.
  • Regression Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology