Use of Self Assessments in Estimating Levels of Skill Retention

Abstract

The focus of this research was on one approach toward predicting task retention and refresher training requirements--self assessment. Prior to zeroing their weapons for annual M16A1 rifle qualification (record fire), 153 permanent party soldiers completed a questionnaire designed to collect information on their previous marksmanship experiences as well as their beliefs about how they were going to shoot at record fire. Predicted scores accounted for about 10% of the variance associated with record fire scores. However, for those soldiers whose confidence in the accuracy of their predictions exceeded 90%, predicted scores accounted for 25% of the record fire score variance. The best predictors of record fire performance were remembered most recent record fire performance and predicted performance. Subjects, generally, overestimated their actual performance and were biased heavily toward predicting success. The usefulness of the self-assessment approach to skill retention estimation is discussed together with practical suggestions toward refining the precision of questionnaire techniques.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADP003345

Entities

People

  • J. C. Morey
  • J. D. Schendel
  • M. J. Granier
  • Sarah B. Hall

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Army
  • Classification
  • Consistency
  • Errors
  • Field Conditions
  • Infantry
  • Instructions
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Questionnaires
  • Ratings
  • Silhouettes
  • Students
  • Time Intervals
  • Training

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Marksmanship and Weaponry.
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.