OPM/GOVT-6

Personnel Research and Test Validation Records (June 19, 2006, 71 FR 35354)

Description: Records on current and former Federal employees, applicants for Federal employment, current and former State and local government employees, and applicants for State and local government employment, selected private sector employees and applicants for sample comparison groups used by OPM or other Federal agencies for the construction, analysis, and validation of written tests, and for research on and evaluation of personnel or organizational management and staffing methods, including workforce effectiveness studies. 
 

Categories of individuals covered by the system: 

Current and former Federal employees, applicants for Federal employment, current and former State and local government employees, and applicants for State and local government employment, selected private sector employees, and applicants for sample comparison groups.

Categories of records in the system: 

These records include information on education and employment history, test scores, responses to test items and questionnaires, interview data, and ratings of supervisors regarding the individuals to whom the records pertain. Additional information (race, national origin, disability status, and background) is collected from applicants for certain examinations.

Authority for maintenance of the system: 

5 U.S.C. 1303, 3301, and 4702. 

Purpose(s) : 

These records are collected, maintained, and used by the OPM or other Federal agencies for the construction, analysis, and validation of written tests and other assessment instruments used in personnel selection and appraisal, other assessment instruments used in personnel selection and appraisal, and for research on and evaluation of personnel/organizational management and staffing methods, including workforce effectiveness studies. Agencies and OPM may provide each other with data collected in support of these functions. Such research includes studies extending over a period of time (longitudinal studies). Private sector data are used in research only, to evaluate Federal study results against non-Federal comparison groups. Race and national origin data are used by OPM or other agencies to evaluate the role and effects of selection procedures in the total employee staffing process. Use of these race and national origin data is limited to such evaluation, oversight and research projects conducted by the employing agencies or the Office. The records may also be used by OPM or other Federal agencies to locate individuals for personnel research. Data are collected on a project-by-project basis under conditions assuring the confidentiality of the information. No personnel action or selection is made using these research records.