Behavioral specificity and reliability in job analysis and job specification

Job analysis, narrowly defined, refers to the collection of data describing job-related behaviors and the characteristics of the job environment. Job specification refers to the process of inferring required traits or abilities necessary for a desired level of job performance. Differences in the judgmental processes involved in these two functions were explored by (a) investigating the potential schema- or stereotype-based nature of job specification ratings, and (b) assessing the relationship between behavioral specificity and interrater reliability. These concerns were investigated through the use of 3 groups of subject raters: one group possessing extensive job knowledge, one group possessing some degree of job familiarity, and one group possessing little or no job knowledge. All subjects completed a job analysis instrument (the Job Element Inventory) and a job specification instrument (the Threshold Traits Analysis; TTA). Contrary to predictions, little evidence was uncovered to suggest extensive schema-usage on the part of TTA raters. In addition, the 2 instruments achieved similar levels of interrater reliability among the 3 subject groups. However, marginal support was found for the notion that behaviorally specific items generate higher reliability the less-specific items, and in replication of previous findings, job-naive raters were found unable to achieve the reliability of subject matter experts. Suggestions for future research are offered.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Cowgill, Marc C.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Harvey, Robert J.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Foti, Roseanne J.
• Hauenstein, Neil M. A.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-08042009-040237

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44141