Abstract
M.Phil. (Industrial Psychology)
Psychometric testing in South Africa faces many challenges at present. Among these
challenges is the fact that many individuals utilising psychometric tests are not professionally
registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The key objective of this
qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the contemporary ethical challenges in
psychometric testing in South Africa. A total of ten industrial psychologists participated in
the study, and content analysis was used to interpret the data. Findings indicated that ethical
conduct based on specific ethical values and principles are expected of the testing practitioner
within the testing process. An exploratory conceptual framework was produced, which
outlines the possible ethical challenges inherent in psychometric testing. The conceptual
framework may be applied by industrial psychologists, regulatory bodies, and test-takers
during testing engagements. Awareness and understanding of the ethical challenges could
inform and promote ethical behaviour in testing practices, as well as encourage testing
practitioners to strive for the highest standards of professionalism and ethical excellence. The
present project thus aimed to contribute to the continued development of the field of
psychometric testing in South Africa. It was envisaged that the information gathered in the
process would not only document the most prominent ethical challenges in testing practices,
but also form the basis for generating suggestions regarding the agenda that needs to be
established to guide and enhance testing practices in South Africa.
Keywords: ethics, psychometric testing, ethical challenge, ethical testing conceptual
framework.