SBIR-STTR Award

Enhancing the Accuracy and Utility of Performance Measurement in the AF
Award last edited on: 4/30/2002

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$838,507
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF95-012
Principal Investigator
Walter C Borman

Company Information

Personnel Decisions Research Institute

650 Third Avenue South Suite 1350
Minneapolis, MN 55402
   (612) 331-3680
   info@pdri.com
   www.pdri.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 05
County: Hennepin

Phase I

Contract Number: F41624-95-C-5016
Start Date: 5/12/1995    Completed: 11/12/1995
Phase I year
1995
Phase I Amount
$99,495
Final course grades in military technical schools are frequently used as the criterion in assessing the validity of a variety of cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor ability tests. PDRI proposes an innovative approach to criterion development for use by AF researchers. During the proposed Phase I SBIR effort, we plan to begin development of two sets of criterion measures. The first set will be designed to link predictor scores directly to their training or job performance analog, thus providing evidence for construct validity using an external construct validation strategy. A second set of technical proficiency performance measures will be constructed and presented in a computerized adaptive rating format, which will help raters to provide more precise, accurate criterion performance scores. Workshops will be held with subject matter experts to review predictor constructs, target possible analog performance measures for both the training and job settings, and generate critical incidents of effective and ineffective performance. Our Phase I efforts will conclude with the development and presentation of a demonstration of the new computerized adaptive rating scale technology.

Keywords:
Criterion Development Criterion Development Computerized Adaptive Rating Scales

Phase II

Contract Number: F41624-96-C-5018
Start Date: 6/10/1996    Completed: 6/10/1998
Phase II year
1996
Phase II Amount
$739,012
Currently, USAF research uses final course grades in military technical schools as the criterion in assessing the validity of a variety of cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor ability tests. PDRI proposes an innovative approach to criterion development and job performance measurement for use by AF researchers, and subsequently, civilian sector organizations. The result will be computerized adaptive rating scales (CARS) that employ adaptive testing principles to provide more precise and accurate ratings of job performance for use in validation research. In Phase I, we began developing a CARS to measure Ground Radar Specialist (GRS) job performance. A demonstration of the CARS format was also developed. Proposed Phase II work includes: (1) completing the CARS for the GRS AFS and two additional AFS; (2) conducting validation research for the Advanced Personnel Test Battery (APT); (3) evaluating and improving the CARS format; (4) developing a CARS for evaluation of performance in the "extra-technical" contextual domain; and (5) exploring commercial applications of, especially, the contextual CARS.

Keywords:
Criterion Development Criterion Development Computerized Adaptive Rating Scales