Abstract
Recent studies have called for the abandonment of the relative-time-spent scale in task inventories. This recommendation is based on findings that the job profile created with the scale data is highly correlated with the profile created from a much simpler “Do you perform this task?” checklist. We examined this issue using 3 inventories and 42 jobs (N=2252). Profile correlations were computed on only the tasks actually performed by incumbents to avoid possibly inflated rs due to including irrelevant tasks. The specificity of task inventory items was proposed as an explanation for the high correlation between the two job profiles. Specificity of items was examined by looking at both the type (job duties versus tasks) and the amount (number of items in job profile and average number of items relevant to each job) of items used in the inventory. Correlations between time spent and checklist profiles were in the .80's and .90's regardless of the number of irrelevant tasks or the specificity of tasks. We agree with previous military research and conclude that the relative-time-spent scale has limited incremental utility beyond a dichotomous checklist.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carpenter, J. B. (1974). Sensitivity of group job descriptions to possible inaccuracies in individual job descriptions. (AFHRL-TR-74-6,AD-778-839), Lackland AFB, TX: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory.
Cascio, W. F. (1987).Applied psychology in personnel management. Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Cornelius, E. T., Denisi, A. S., & Blencoe, A. G. (1984). Expert and naive ratings using the PAQ: Does it matter?Personnel Psychology, 37, 453–464.
Cragun, J. R., & McCormick, E. J. (1967). Job inventory information: Task and scale reliabilities and scale interrelationships. (PRL-TR-67-15,AD-681-509), Lackland AFB, TX: Personnel Research Laboratory.
Gael, S. (1983).Job Analysis. San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass.
Green, S. B., & Stutzman, T. (1986). An evaluation of methods to select respondents to structured job analysis questionnaires.Personnel Psychology, 39, 543–564.
Harvey, R. J., & Hayes, T. L. (1986). Monte carlo baselines for interrater reliability correlations using the position analysis questionnaire.Personnel Psychology, 39, 345–357.
McCormick, E. J. (1979).Job Analysis: Methods and Applications. New York: AMACOM.
Morsh, J. E. (1964). Job analysis in the United States Airforce.Personnel Psychology, 17, 7–17.
Pass, J. J., & Robertson, D. W. (1980). Methods to evaluate scales and sample size for stable task inventory information. (NPRDC-TR-80-28,AD-A085-600), San Diego, CA: Navy Personnel Research and Development Center.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
We would like to thank Milton D. Hakel for his guidance while this research was being conducted.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilson, M.A., Harvey, R.J. The value of relative-time-spent ratings in task-oriented job analysis. J Bus Psychol 4, 453–461 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01013608
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01013608