The e-Selex catalog is a criterion-linked item source for biodata items. A biodata item is an easy-to-answer, multiple-choice question relating to biographical data. The catalog offers over 500 biodata items ready to be keyed, validated, and used to predict at least 23 distinct criteria. The catalog is not sold, but is made available to end-user organizations through a licensing agreement.

Your organization may use the items to create biodata questionnaires, or customize them for your objectives. Items have been screened for acceptability under state and federal laws. The average reading difficulty is below the seventh grade level. The items are now available in Spanish as well as English language versions. Each item has been rationally linked to two or more of the following criteria:

The following guidelines were used in constructing the items:

• All items are written to allow a single response format (i.e., choose only one option).
• Options within each item are qualitatively or quantitatively distinct, and mutually exclusive.
• The range of options either completely exhausts the range of possible answers or an escape option is added to allow every individual to make a response.
• Where possible, options are ordered to show some underlying continuum.
• Extreme positive self-evaluative options have been included for many of the items to facilitate the development of faking scales.
• Questions are avoided regarding church activities or religious values.
• Questions are avoided that may show a clear gender or sex orientation.
• Questions are avoided regarding health, illness, or disability.
• The use of slang expressions is avoided.