Job Analysis, Selection, & Individual Differences Flashcards
(87 cards)
Knowledge
CollectionS of discrete but related facts about a given domain
Skills
The level of proficiency/ competency to perform a task or learned activity
Abilities
Relatively enduring basic capacities for performing a range o f different activists — more stable than K and S
Other Characteristics
Large category of all other potentially relevant factors to job performance including personality, motivational traits, education/work experience, licensure & certifications, etc. (Morgeson & Dierdoff, 2011)
Types of Descriptors in JA
Work requirements - specific tasks - general work responsibilities Worker requirements - relevant attributes such as KSAOs Work Context - Task context - social context - physical context
Work Context
situational opportunities and constraints that affect the occurrence and meaning of organiza- tional behavior as well as functional relationships between variables
(Johns, 2006)
Theories relevant to job analysis
Cognitive categorization theory (Schemas)
Role Theory
Impression management theory
Task context (Morgeson & Dierdorff, 2011)
reflects the structural and informational conditions under which work roles are enacted
- e.g., the amount of autonomy and task clarity, the consequence of error inherent in the work, level of accountability, and the resources available to perform the task
Social context (Morgeson & Dierdorff, 2011)
reflects the nature of role relationships and inter- personal contingencies that exist among workers
- e.g., social density, different forms of communication, the extent and type of interdependence with others, and the degree of interpersonal conflict present in the work environment.
Physical context (Morgeson & Dierdorff, 2011)
reflects elements of the material space or built environment within which work roles are enacted, including
- general environmental conditions (e.g., noise, lighting, temperature, air quality),
- presence of hazardous work conditions (e.g., radiation, high places, disease exposure)
- overall physiological job demands (e.g., sitting, standing, walking, climbing)
Work Analysis Decisions
- Purpose influences all of these decisions
1. Descriptor Type
2. Method of data collection - Type of Rating Scale (With questionnaires)
3. Sources of Data
Methods for collecting JA data
Observation
Group Meetings. (SMEs)
Questionnaires
Individual Interviews
Observation forms in JA
Direct observation
Critical Incidence collections
Video Recordings
Pros and cons of Observation in JA
Pros: Not subject to selective recall/other biases related to workers providing data
Cons: subject to other biases
Not all jobs can effectively be observed (knowledge work)
Time consuming
Interviewing in JA pros and cons
Pros: can allow for more detailed collection of data, since additional questions or clarifications can be asked
Cons: some might not be able to effectively describe what they do/what is required in sufficient detail (esp. when people have been there for a while/routinized their performance)
Interview biases- result in faulty recording or bias in recalling the information given to them
Group Meetings of SMEs for JA
Typically conducted with several different groups of SME type (workers, supervisors, technical experts,etc.)
- usually facilitated by the job analyst
Commonly include: brainstorming activities, listing of activities/attributes, evaluating data thats already been collected
Group Meeting Pros and cons for JA
Pros: more efficient than individual interviews
Can provide opportunities to evaluate data collected from other means
Possibility of getting consensus
Cons: a number of group process problems/biases
E.g., lack of participation, conformity,
Logistical issues (scheduling, locations, etc.)
Questionnaire approach in JA
Structured surveys used to collect info on any of the relevant types of descriptors/needs
- paper and pencil or computer based (more likely now)
E.g., PAQ, O*NET
JA Questionnaire Pros and Cons
Pros: cost efficient/easier administration
Systematically gathers a large amount of relevant info that can be quantifiably summarized
Cons: can be overwhelming when they get lengthy enough to capture everything you’re interested in
Along other common survey response biases (social desirability, leniency, etc. )
Types of JA Rating Scales
Frequency
Importance- asked directly or determined by a combo of below
- Criticality - consequences of error
- Task difficulty
Need to know/have on entry (usually more related to KSAs)
- the level of attribute required
Distinction of JA ratings
Dierdorff & Wilson (2003) found there is significant overlap between importance, frequency, time spent, and difficulty rates— indicating despite their conceptual differences, JA raters aren’t typically distinguishing between them and tend to rate them similarity
JA Data Sources
Written documentation Job incumbent Technical experts Supervisors Clients/Orgs Job Analysts
Examples of Written Documentation sources for JA
Previous/current job descriptions Previously published JA info (e.g., ONET) Training manuals Checklists / operating guides Any relevant work aids
Pros and cons of Written documentation in JA
Pros: cost efficient/time saving
A great starting point to see what is known/what needs to know
Cons; can be outdated, insufficient, inaccurate,