Occupational Analysis: Studying the Relative Effectiveness of Some Techniques

SUMMARY

In investigating the competencies needed by pharmacy assistants, the relative effectiveness of four occupational (job) analysis techniques was examined: Observation plus Interview, Competencies Interview, Observation, and Critical Incident. The study was designed as a major advance in the methodology of comparing data about competencies at present performed from different occupational analysis (OA) techniques with respect to the introspective reporting of experience by Holden and Lescop (1978). Refinements in methodology include: controlling for the occupational area being investigated, controlling for the researcher‐time allocated to each technique, having the same category of respondents for each technique, and devising an empirical procedure for the comparison of the relative effectiveness of the OA techniques. Using measures of comprehensiveness and uniqueness, it was found that Competencies Interview was the most effective, and Observation plus Interview was the next most effective; the difference was not significant. Each of these was significantly more effective than Observation, which in turn was significantly more effective than Critical Incident, but Critical Incident performed very well for the communications and customer relations general area of Competence. However, it was considered that the use of only one technique is inadequate. The findings of this study are discussed, together with findings from two other recent studies.

Notes

*Since writing this paper, Graham Hermann, regrettably, has died.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Graham Hermann*

*Since writing this paper, Graham Hermann, regrettably, has died.