SSM® Psychometric Results

The SSM® Assessment has been developed and independently evaluated through the following professional psychometric reports and supporting research.

Report 1 — Content & Face Validity (2025)

Prepared by Dr. Elena Talavera Escribano, this report documents the assessment's development and qualitative validation, including:

• Expert-led item design and refinement under a Lead Psychometrician.
• International panel of Subject Matter Experts evaluation of items for relevance, clarity, and construct coverage using Content Validity Index (CVI) procedures.
• Diverse end-user pilot evaluated comprehensibility and acceptability (face validity), followed by targeted refinements to reduce cognitive load.
• Alignment with recognised professional standards, including the APA Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, ITC Guidelines, ISO 10667-2, and APS/ACER guidance.

Report 2 — Psychometric Evaluation (2026)

Prepared by Meesam Abbas, BS (Statistics) — currently completing an MSc(Data Science) (expected 2027), this report evaluated responses from 349 participants collected through the Prolific research platform. The evaluation included:

• Bayesian multidimensional Thurstonian Item Response Theory (TIRT) calibration.
• Construct differentiation (ensuring each strength measures a distinct construct).
• Trait reliability estimation.
• Exploratory structural diagnostics.
• Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis.
• Preliminary norm development.

The report concluded: “Overall, the SSM forced-choice strengths instrument demonstrates a methodologically appropriate psychometric foundation." Further highlights of the report may be found here. Following this evaluation, a number of assessment items were refined to improve clarity, fairness and measurement quality. A follow-up psychometric evaluation of the updated assessment is planned.

Report 3 — Occupational-Matching White Paper (2026)

Co-authored by Conrad Shaw and Dr. Elena Talavera Escribano, this white paper proposes and examines a theoretical mapping between the twelve SSM® strengths and the O*NET Work Styles framework — an established taxonomy of work-related characteristics used in occupational analysis. The paper brings together the evidence underpinning SSM®'s occupational-matching methodology, including:

• A literature-grounded rationale for linking each of the twelve SSM® strengths to its corresponding O*NET Work Style, providing a theoretically informed basis for the mapping.
• A synthesis of the earlier validity and psychometric findings (Reports 1 and 2), considered specifically in relation to the occupational-matching application, including the full HTMT matrix examining discriminant validity across the twelve constructs.
• A real-world field application with a mid-sized organisation, comparing individual strength profiles with internal role requirements using a quintile-based Role-Fit classification. The results closely aligned with management's observations of existing staff.

Together, these findings provide an evidence-informed foundation for SSM®'s Role-Fit methodology, with potential applications in hiring, internal mobility and personalised career development. The full white paper is available on request.