Performance Appraisal Format: Role Clarity and Evaluation Criteria

The effectiveness of alternative performance appraisal formats is evaluated in terms of their contribution to selected dimensions of role clarity, and their focusing the evaluation on primary criteria as opposed to secondary criteria. The formats studied are: simple graphic rating scales, more complete graphic rating scales, and behaviorally anchored rating scales. From the viewpoint of the person being rated, the dimensions of role clarity investigated are: understanding of the performance dimension being rated, understanding of where the faculty member stands on each performance dimension, and understanding of the behavioral changes that would improve ratings on each performance dimension. Behaviorally anchored rating scales are observed to be superior to the other rating scale formats on each dimension of evaluation