"Pick Me, Pick Me, I Want to Be a Counsellor": Assessment of a MEd-Counselling Application Selection Process using Rasch Analysis and Generalizability Theory.

The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Many-Facet Rasch Model and Generalizability Theory as applied to the application selection committee for the Masters of Education in Counselling Program at UNBC. These two models investigated the items used to score applicants and assessed the rater characteristics of each member on the application selection committee. This evaluation was used to inform the School of Education and provide feedback to refine the selection process in the future. Overall, the applicant selection process at UNBC produced a unitary score that can be used to rank all individuals applying to the counseling program. The 5-point rating scale used to evaluate applicants served as an appropriate measurement tool for assessing applicants. The raters who participated as members on the selection committee were fitting both as groups and as individuals in selecting applicants for the counselling program. To conclude, the Many-Facet Rasch Model and Generalizabiilty Theory served as appropriate measurement tools for describing the details of items, raters, and applicants. --P.ii.