IMPACT OF THE COMPUTER ON JOB ANALYSIS IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Abstract
In keeping with present trends toward the automation of personnel information, the Air Force method of job analysis provides for the exploitation of advances in electronic computer technology. Computer capability is applied not only in the analysis of job inventory data but also in the construction, administration, and publication phases of the procedure. During inventory construction the computer is used to prepare alphabetic lists of tentative task statements according to pertinent key words. This grouping by topic facilitates the detection of redundancy and insures the elimination of duplicate statements. In the administration phase, the computer selects the required sample of job incumbents from current personnel rosters maintained on magnetic tape. In addition, the computer prints names and addresses on appropriate labels to attach to inventories for mailing. It is in the area of occupational data analysis, however, that the computer makes its most impressive impact. By application of a complex program consisting of over 50,000 instructions, those incumbents in a survey sample who perform essentially the same job are grouped together, and a job description composed of duties and tasks is published for each such job type identified. The computer also lists information available for each case and reports means, standard deviations, and distributions of values for specified variables. Composite job descriptions may also be obtained for any group defined in terms of job-related variables such as grade, specialty, years of experience, or specialized training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0656304
Entities
People
- Joseph E. Marsh
- Raymond E. Christal