METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO JOB CLASSIFICATION FOR PERFORMANCE-APPRAISAL PURPOSES

This paper illustrates a methodological approach to classifying jobs for the purpose of developing performance evaluation instruments. The approach was to administer a worker‐oriented job inventory to 2,023 incumbents across several jobs and several levels of responsibility (rank) in the U. S. Coast Guard. The data from the job inventory were then analyzed using Tucker's Three‐Mode Factor Analysis. Output from the three‐mode factor analysis was used to identify combinations of jobs and ranks for which separate appraisal instruments could be developed. In addition, output from the three‐mode factor analysis was used to suggest the content of the various appraisal instruments. Advantages, applications, and limitations of this approach are discussed. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved