This study examined the impact of task engagement and task familiarity on frequency rating accuracy using an objective measure of task frequency. By contrasting findings from the memory literature on frequency estimation with current task analysis practices, this research proposed that task performers and novel experienced respondents would generate more accurate frequency estimates compared to task observers and familiar experienced respondents. Participants were randomly assigned to a task engagement condition (performer vs. observer) as well as to a task familiarity condition (novel vs. familiar). In support of the hypotheses, performers and novel experienced subjects demonstrated greater accuracy in their frequency ratings. These findings were illustrated using several different measures of accuracy. The use of an objective measure of task frequency revealed that discrepancies in frequency ratings are due to respondents' varying job perceptions as opposed to differences in actual task frequency. Implications for task analysis research and practices are discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/14107 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Richman, Wendy Lynn |
| Contributors | Quinones, Miguel A. |
| Source Sets | Rice University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | 110 p., application/pdf |
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