Differentiating between job entry specifications and job performance specifications using a task inventory questionnaire

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the instructions for completing task inventory questionnaires could cause responders to distinguish between the knowledge and skills that are essential at the time of employment and those that should be developed after employment. The objective of the research was to determine if a questionnaire designed to identify job entry specifications would produce responses significantly different from those obtained from a questionnaire designed to identify job performance specifications. A list of 55 tasks for diesel and heavy truck mechanics was developed into two questionnaires seeking responses concerning two dependent variables, importance and frequency. The questionnaires differed only in the instructions (the independent variable). One requested information about the requirements for entry level mechanics, the other sought information about the requirements for experienced mechanics. The questionnaire was administered to a random sample from the membership of the Texas Motor Transportation Association. Fourteen sample groups were developed from data based on the types of industry, type of mechanics employed, the size of the operation, and the sources of mechanics now employed. The results of the survey were analyzed using analysis of variance procedures. The findings supported the research hypothess indicating that instructions for completing task inventory questionnaires could cause responders to distinguish between requirements concerning the variables "importance" and "frequency" for entry level employment and performance required of employed workers in a job or occupation. The results from the study implied that group differences within the sample of the population could have a significant effect on the results obtained from task inventory questionnaires. The results also implied that the variable "importance" is more useful than the variable "frequency" for distinguishing between job entry specifications and job performance specifications.