Are Consensus Ratings of Functional Job Analysis Scales More Reliable than Ratings Made by Independent Raters?

This study addresses an open research question in regard to a well-established and widely-used job analysis system, Functional Job Analysis (FJA): Are consensus ratings of the FJA scales more reliable than the independent scale ratings that are the norm in job analysis application and the related research literature? In our experimental study, we found that this is not the case: no significant difference is found between consensus and independent ratings of the FJA scales. The reasons for this finding are explored as well as its relevance to the validity of the FJA system. Implications for other work and job analysis systems are discussed.

Workers' Adaptation Enables Work Functioning

In this study, a proposition derived from Functional Job Analysis theory was tested: that workers' adaptive skills are necessary for enabling the operation of functional skills termed Things, Data, and People in the workplace. Restated in broader terms, the veracity of the principle that workers' adaptation enables work functioning was assessed. 29 study participants were assessed on 12 theoretically derived adaptive skills using an in-depth interview methodology. The substantive complexity of the participants' present jobs was estimated by rating them on Things, Data, and People functional skills. Predictive Analysis provided strong support for the hypothesis that workers' adaptive skills enable the operation of functional skills in the workplace. Participants scored markedly better on some adaptive skills than on others. Implications are discussed for workplace adaptation and successful work functioning.

O*NET Job Analysis and Vocational Evaluation for the 21st Century

Functional Job Analysis will continue to be the preferred method for accurate, reliable, and legally defensible determination of job duties. With the implementation of the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), job-related functions to be evaluated will expand and the potential applications and problems, both practical and research, will increase. The O*NET system is described, as are potential uses and shortcomings of O*NET, as well as the importance of O*NET to job analysis and vocational evaluation.