“Right-Tail Range Restriction: A Lurking Threat to Detecting Associations between Traits and Skill among Experts”, 2019 (; backlinks; similar):
It has been claimed by prominent authors that there is no relationship between differences in some human traits (eg. cognitive ability, physical ability) and differences in skill among experts. We assert that the failure to detect such associations is often due to an extreme form of range restriction that particularly plagues research focused on expert samples: right-tail range restriction (RTRR). RTRR refers to a lack of representation of data from the far right segment of the normal distribution, inhibiting the observation of statistical associations.
Using 2 example studies we demonstrate that, when RTRR is not present, relationships between differences in experts’ traits and differences in their degree of skill can be observed. Based on the characteristics of these studies we make recommendations for methodological practices that can be followed to help investigators overcome RTRR and facilitate the continued development of a robust and replicable science of expertise.
[Keywords: range restriction, expertise, traits, cognitive ability, physical ability, performance, athletics, psychological attributes]