Development of Surrogate Methodologies for Operational Performance Measurement: Empirical Studies

Abstract

A series of studies is described demonstrating the feasibility of linking reliable surrogate performance tests to real-life measures of performance. First, we illustrate dose equivalency, where deficits in computerized performance tests were related to graded dosages of alcohol and where prediction equations of blood alcohol level were established. Secondly, surrogate criteria composed of standardized aptitude tests (known to be predictive of operational performances) were administered to a sample tested on the same computer-based cognitive tests. This performance loss, in connec- tion to alcohol, was indexed to cognitive performances on the computer tests through their composite relation to intelligence tests. These laboratory-based relations were then linked to several studies of real-world performances by applying the integrative surrogate metric. An explanation is given of how the composite is developed and used to form units that are common from study to study and familiar to the reader.