Related Questions
Q54:
In reengineered business processes, workers tend to become collectively responsible for overall results rather than individually responsible for just their own tasks.
Q55:
A ________ is the time it takes to complete a job. A]work cycle B]work week C]shift D]duty
Q56:
Which of the following is the primary disadvantage of using interviews to collect job analysis data? A]Interviews are a complicated method for collecting information. B]Employees may exaggerate or minimize some information. C]Interviews provide only general information about a worker's duties. D]Interviews may require managers to reveal the job analysis function.
Q57:
Purrfect Pets is a local pet supply store with a following of loyal customers who appreciate the personal service the store's employees provide. After a very profitable year, Purrfect Pets is expanding by opening two more stores. Before hiring employees for the new stores, the manager is considering the idea of conducting a job analysis for each position. Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that the manager should conduct group interviews to gather job analysis information? A]Purrfect Pets is an excellent place to work because of the positive work environment. B]Most of the young employees of Purrfect Pets would feel awkward during a one-on-one interview. C]Employees at Purrfect Pets work well with their colleagues, and few staffing conflicts occur. D]Numerous employees at Purrfect Pets perform similar tasks during the work day.
Q58:
Which data collection method is most frequently used in conjunction with direct observation? A]interview B]questionnaire C]electronic log D]survey
Q60:
Joaquin records every activity in which he participates at work along with the time it takes him to complete each activity. Which of the following approaches to job analysis data collection is most likely being used at Joaquin's workplace? A]diaries B]interviews C]observations D]questionnaires
Q61:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using interviews to collect job analysis data?
Q62:
Some employers collecting job analysis information provide employees with pocket dictating machines and pagers to record activities at random times of the work day.
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Q63:
Observation as a job analysis data collection method is most appropriate for jobs that involve physical activities.
Q64:
The Department of Labor procedure uses a set of standard basic activities known as ________ to describe what a worker must do with respect to data, people, and things. A]worker functions B]employee duties C]job procedures D]job requirements
Direct Observation of incumbents performing their jobs enables the trained job analyst to obtain first-hand knowledge and information about the job being analyzed.
The Observation method of Job Analysis is suited for jobs in which the work behaviors are 1] observable involving some degree of movement on the part of the incumbent, or 2] job tasks are short in duration allowing for many observations to be made in a short period of time or a significant part of the job can be observed in a short period of time, or 3] jobs in which the job analyst can learn information about the job through observation.
Jobs in which the Observation method is successful include:
- Machine Operator/Adjuster
- Construction Worker
- Police Officer/Patrol Officer
- Flight Attendant
- Bus Driver
- Housekeeper/Janitor
- Skilled Crafts Worker
Advantages
With direct Observation, the trained job analyst can obtain first-hand knowledge and information about the job being analyzed. Other Job Analysis methods [such as the interview or questionnaire] only allow the job analyst to indirectly obtain this information. Thus, with other methods of Job Analysis, sources of error [ommissions or exaggerations] are introduced either by the incumbent being interviewed or by items on the questionnaire. With direct observation of the incumbent, these sources of error are eliminated.
Direct Observation allows the job analyst to see [and in some cases experience] the work environment, tools and equipment used, interrelationships with other workers, and complexity of the job.
Direct Observation of incumbents may be necessary to support testimony if the incumbent or applicant for the job has sued the employer. A Job Analysis is necessary to support personnel actions that were taken. However, the job analysis may be of limited value if the job analyst has not seen the incumbent perform the job. In other words, relying solely on the incumbent's description of their job may not withstand scrutiny in a court of law.
Testimony about jobs personally done is direct testimony and not subject to hearsay rules.
Disadvantages
One problem with the direct Observation method of Job Analysis is that the presence of an observer may affect the incumbent causing the incumbent to alter their normal work behavior. It is important for the analyst to be unobtrusive in their observations. Incumbents may alter their work behavior if they know they are being observed.
This method is not appropriate for jobs that involve significant amounts of time spent in concentration or mental effort.
Which jobs is recommended to used direct observation method to collect data in a job analysis?
For which of the following jobs is direct observation not a recommended method for collecting job analysis data?
Q. | For which of the following jobs is direct observation not recommended to collect data used in a job analysis? |
B. | accounting clerk |
C. | engineer |
D. | receptionist |
Answer» c. engineer |