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Showing papers on "Task analysis published in 1981"



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the concept of task interdependence was developed and integrated in the blackman and Oldham [1976] theory of job design to differentiate between initiated and received task interdependent according to the direction of workflow in relation to the job incumbent.
Abstract: In this article I develop the concept of task interdependence and integrate it in the blackman and Oldham [1976] theory of job design. I differentiate between initiated and received task interdependence according to the direction of workflow in relation to the job incumbent. Each of these dimensions includes the elements of scope, resources, and criticality. Experienced responsibility for one's own work outcomes is differentiated from experienced responsibility for dependents' work outcomes. Testable hypotheses derived from the elaborated theory are set forth.

234 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the traditional belief that between-job task differences cause aptitude tests to be valid for some jobs but not for others and concluded that the moderating effect of tasks is negligible even when jobs differ grossly in task makeup and is probably nonexistent when task differences are less extreme.
Abstract: This article describes results of two studies, based on a total sample size of nearly 400,000, examining the traditional belief that between-job task differences cause aptitude tests to be valid for some jobs but not for others. Results indicate that aptitude tests are valid across jobs. The moderating effect of tasks is negligible even when jobs differ grossly in task makeup and is probably nonexistent when task differences are less extreme. These results have important implications for validity generalization, for the use of task-oriented job analysis in selection research, for criterion construction, for moderator research, and for proper interpretation of the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures. The philosophy of science and methodological assumptions historically underlying belief in the hypothesis that tasks are important moderators of test validities are examined and critiqued. It is concluded that the belief in this hypothesis can be traced to behaviorist assumptions introduced into personnel psychology in the early 1960s and that, in retrospect, these assumptions can be seen to be false.

178 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of awareness of a model's task achievement on observers' task goals, performance, and performance satisfaction were studied in a laboratory setting, and the results showed that observation of the model's achievement level had a significant effect on the goals and performance of subjects without prior experience but had less influence on the goal-setters who were familiar with the task before being exposed to the model.

75 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present information on the feasibility of educational objectives in the field of traffic education for young children and answer four questions: (1) which behavior is desired? (2) which functions and abilities are required for a safe performance of the tasks described in question 1?

70 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a conceptual framework relating the concepts exposure, behavior, conflicts and accidents, and summarize the most important empirical findings within the framework of a pedestrian task analysis developed earlier.

69 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicated that not only could this supposedly difficult skill be acquired by severely multihandicapped individuals, but that they could also generalize to other appropriate environments.
Abstract: This study demonstrates the acquisition and generalization of dart skills by three severely multihandicapped adults. The program took place in a community adult development center. By identifying the motor responses required to play darts, a 7-step task analysis was generated to facilitate instruction. Systematic training procedures using applied behavior analysis were implemented. A combination multiple baseline across subjects and changing criterion design was used. The results indicated that not only could this supposedly difficult skill be acquired by severely multihandicapped individuals, but that they could also generalize to other appropriate environments. Acquisition of this skill could help optimize their use of free time for leisure pursuits in a variety of settings.

57 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an empirical investigation was made of the effects of size, personnel education, task routineness, workflow interdependence, environmental uncertainty, and formal structure on the behavior of leade...
Abstract: An empirical investigation was made of the effects of size, personnel education, task routineness, workflow interdependence, environmental uncertainty, and formal structure on the behavior of leade...

56 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors found that high assertive subjects demonstrated competence in content knowledge and informal delivery of refusal responses and reported more positive self-statements than non-assertive subjects. But they did not differ on component measures of positive assertion and social problem solving.

Book ChapterDOI
K. D. Duncan1
01 Jan 1981
TL;DR: Industrial fault diagnosis training can present serious difficulties on all three counts of practice, testing and hints, explanations or other information not intrinsic to performing the task.
Abstract: The classical formula for training is simple enough. To train someone to do anything requires only: (1) opportunities to practise; (2) tests to check performance after practice; and, if practice and testing do not of themselves suffice, (3) hints, explanations or other information not intrinsic to performing the task. Industrial fault diagnosis training can present serious difficulties on all three counts.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper investigated the stability of individual perceptions of task characteristics and individual reactions to these perceptions at two points in time, and found that individual reactions were correlated with task characteristics' performance in tasks.
Abstract: This study investigated the stability of individual perceptions of task characteristics and the stability of individual reactions to these perceptions at two points in time. Results indicated that ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to determine the extent to which direct judgments of similarity by supervisors and incumbents could provide the same job classification results as a more elaborate job analysis procedure involving measures of task overlap among jobs.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which direct judgments of similarity by supervisors and incumbents could provide the same job classification results as a more elaborate job analysis procedure involving measures of task overlap among jobs. To accomplish this, 8 foreman jobs in a chemical processing plant were analyzed and compared on 237 task statements. In addition, 15 foremen incumbents and 17 supervisors evaluated the similarities among the same 8 foremen jobs in a paired comparisons rating task. The task-oriented job analysis required hundreds of man-hours to complete; the rating task took 15 minutes. Results using hierarchical cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that the global judgments and the task-oriented data led to identical conclusions. Also, it was found that incumbent ratings produced the same results as ratings from supervisors. Uses, advantages, and disadvantages of the procedure are outlined.



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a preliminary analysis of the pedestrian task was made within the framework of a child traffic education research project, where the behaviors and psychological processes are considered necessary for an adequate, that is, safe task performance.

01 Mar 1981
TL;DR: A task classification scheme was developed in accordance with a conceptual model of motor behavior suggesting that motor skills be categorized as to the processing demands placed on a learner, feedback availability, and pacing conditions.
Abstract: A task classification scheme was developed in accordance with a conceptual model of motor behavior. The scheme suggests that motor skills be categorized as to the processing demands placed on a learner, feedback availability, and pacing conditions. Additionally, potential learner strategies were identified and defined in relation to both the model and the classification scheme. Consideration was given to the fact that strategies should be taught in addition to movement skills. Ultimately, appropriate strategies should be self-generated. Recommendations were provided for the consideration of task-learner-strategy interactions in the design of instructional material and development of instructional programs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In order to improve a process-information system, operators' process-control tasks were analysed according to the method of Annett et al. (1971).
Abstract: In order to improve a process-information system, operators' process-control tasks were analysed according to the method of Annett et al. (1971). This method, in which tasks are described in a hierarchical way, was developed for training operators to perform their tasks. Adaptation of the method to analyse process-control tasks is described, and its potential applications elsewhere are considered.


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1981
TL;DR: The present contribution will present a summary of such an outline, using examples to illustrate its necessity, in order to justify experimental studies, installation of systems, realisation of work supports, and training of operators.
Abstract: A review of publications on diagnosis shows that only few of them relate to systematic field studies. Experiments in laboratory or simulation conditions are more frequent, though their relation to work situations is not always really examined. This relation gives rise to difficult problems (Leplat, 1976, 1978); it is necessary, however, in order to justify experimental studies, installation of systems, realisation of work supports, and training of operators. The necessary relation between field situations and laboratory conditions shows various forms (Rouse, 1979), considering for instance the representative quality of experimental tasks or the general character as opposed to the specific nature of diagnosis skill. One of the major difficulties of such a study certainly results from the analysis of field situations because of undeniable practical difficulties and also, because of lack of adequate theoretical outlines to guide such an analysis. Our present contribution will present a summary of such an outline, using examples to illustrate its necessity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a small number of people are given a task to perform, and rewards are available to motivate their behavior, and the choice is between cooperation where everyone receives a similar reward when a performance standard has been met and competition where only the best performers are rewarded.
Abstract: Consider the following problem: A small number of people are given a task to perform, and rewards are available to motivate their behavior. How should the rewards be dispensed to produce the best total effort? The choice is between cooperation where everyone receives a similar reward when a performance standard has been met and competition where only the best performers are rewarded. In a variety of settings, most often academic class-

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 1981
TL;DR: In this paper, an expanded surface task analysis which stressed visual cues and cognitive activity started the process of categorizing flying tasks into behavioral components and their referents were further analyzed to develop environmental background scenes for each task through an intermediate word to picture conversion.
Abstract: Due to the critical role which vision plays in tactical operations, the experience-judgement approach emphasized visual cues and referents. A theory of internal pilot performance provided the framework for this approach. Visual referent details were carefully defined in their relationship with complex performance. An expanded surface task analysis which stressed cues and cognitive activity started the process of categorizing flying tasks into behavioral components. Visual cues and their referents were further analyzed to develop environmental background scenes for each task through an intermediate word to picture conversion. Behavioral components were structured into instructional procedures from which behavioral goals were specified. The resulting goals and background scenes were integrated to form a phased learning plan that included event requirements, instructional techniques, and instructional features. These procedures are also applicable to other advanced training situations which have complex visual perception, decision making, and motor output requirements. Language: en

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the beginning of a research program for understanding cognitive processes required for applying financial accounting knowledge to specific problem-solving situations, using task analysis to identify the relevant cognitive processes.
Abstract: We report the beginning of a research program for understanding cognitive processes required for applying financial accounting knowledge to specific problem solving situations. Task analysis which is a thorough and systematic dissection and description of the cognitive components of any task is demonstrated as a useful technique for identifying the relevant cognitive processes. After carefully describing the cognitive components of accounting using task analysis one may then specify what parts of this description are relevant to the immediate behavioral objective. These cognitive descriptions can then be used to design instructional materials or teaching strategies.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The development of system(s) approaches and competency-based programs is highly interrelated as discussed by the authors, with the competencybased programs being specific examples of the application of systematic approaches.
Abstract: A n increasing number of educational projects are being devoted to t h e iden t i f i ca t ion of competencies or skills that are required by some particular occupational or learner group. This phenomenon appea r s to have emerged from interest in increased program effectiveness and the development of performancebased teacher education programs of the early 1970s, as well as from the applications of \"systematic approaches\" to the design and development of learning programs (e.g., Branson et al., 1975; Corrigan et al., 1975; Dick & Carey, 1978). The development of system(s) approaches and competency-based programs is highly interrelated, with the competency-based programs being specific examples of the application of systematic approaches.



Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: A list of the tasks that must be accomplished by practicing regression analysts was compiled and used to derive a detailed list of course objectives for a regression analysis course.
Abstract: A list of the tasks that must be accomplished by practicing regression analysts was compiled and used to derive a detailed list of course objectives for a regression analysis course. This article presents the tasks and objectives derived and discusses some of the author's experiences in using this approach.

01 Jun 1981
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an evaluation criteria for adults with disabilities in the context of Vocational Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in the US.
Abstract: EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adults; Adult Vocational Education; Evaluation Criteria; *Evaluation Methods; Evaluation Needs; Measurement Techniques; *Measures (Individuals) ; *Physical Disabilities; Rating Scales; *Severe Disabilities; Skill Analysis; Task Analysis; Tests; *vocational Aptitude; *Vocational Rehabilitation; vocational Training Centers; Work Sample Tests IDENTIFIERS AvailableMotions Inventory

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the results were discussed in terms of their implications for Blau's theory of torque, and major inconsistencies between the results of this study and the torque theory were identified.
Abstract: This study had three purposes. The first was to attempt to replicate the results of an earlier investigation of torque and cognitive ability, the second was to explore the domain of visual-spatial processes that may be related to torque, and the third was to examine developmental changes in torque. Forty-five children of each sex were selected within both the 7 year-old and 9 year-old age ranges. A task analysis approach was used to derive a set of visual-spatial tasks, which were administered to the Ss. Results were discussed in terms of their implications for Blau's theory of torque, and major inconsistencies between the results of this study and the torque theory were identified.