NCJ Number
50182
Journal
EVALUATION QUARTERLY Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 421-433
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE POTENTIAL OF COMPUTER-BASED MANAGEMENT SIMULATIONS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS IN EVALUATING PROFESSIONAL WORKERS IS EXPLORED.
Abstract
THERE IS A GROWING RELIANCE ON MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION TO DETERMINE SOCIAL MOBILITY, ASSIGNMENT OF TASKS, SELECTION OF AUTHORITY, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT. PERIODIC RECERTIFICATION -- TESTING TO INSURE THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONTINUED COMPETENCE AFTER A PERIOD OF FORMAL TRAINING -- IS BEING CONSIDERED IN SUCH FIELDS AS EDUCATION AND LAW AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. THE MULTIPLE-CHOICE EXAMINATION, THE PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENT MECHANISM IN EVALUATIONS OF COMPLEX HUMAN BEHAVIOR, PRESENTS FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO SUBJECT CUEING, RESTRICTED RESPONSE FORMAT, LACK OF INDIVIDUALIZATION, AND PERFORMANCE VERSUS CONTENT (TESTING PEOPLE ON WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO RATHER THAN ON WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO). COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL PAPER-AND-PENCIL TESTS, COMPUTER-BASED SIMULATION OFFERS EQUAL PROBABILITY OF RELIABILITY AND INCREASED PROBABILITY OF VALIDITY. DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND TIME MAY BE COMPARABLE FOR THE TWO APPROACHES, BUT THE SIMULATION IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT PERMITS THE MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF BOTH CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE. ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPUTER SIMULATION TECHNIQUE DEPENDS ON THE PERCEIVED NEED TO IMPROVE THE EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)