CODESP Job Analysis and Description 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which job analysis method involves incumbents recording their activities in a structured diary or log over a specified period?
- Critical incident technique
- Work diary/log method (Correct answer)
- Structured interview
- Observation method
Correct answer: Work diary/log method
The work diary or log method requires job incumbents to record their activities, tasks, and time spent on each task throughout a defined period.
Question 2: In a job description, the section describing the physical environment, hazards, and working conditions is known as the:
- Job specifications
- Job context (Correct answer)
- Performance standards
- Essential functions
Correct answer: Job context
Job context describes the physical and social environment in which work is performed, including working conditions, hazards, and physical demands.
Question 3: The O*NET database classifies work using which primary taxonomy to describe worker characteristics?
- KSAOs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other characteristics) (Correct answer)
- PAQ worker elements
- FJA functional scales
- Hay method factors
Correct answer: KSAOs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other characteristics)
O*NET organizes worker characteristics using the KSAO framework, encompassing Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other characteristics relevant to job performance.
Question 4: A 'reasonable accommodation' under the ADA is most directly informed by which portion of a job analysis?
- Marginal functions
- Essential functions (Correct answer)
- Job context
- Performance standards
Correct answer: Essential functions
The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for essential functions, making accurate identification of essential functions critical to legal compliance.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'task cluster' in job analysis?
- A group of unrelated duties assigned to one employee
- A set of related tasks that together constitute a major job duty (Correct answer)
- The total number of tasks performed in a shift
- A list of KSAOs required for a job
Correct answer: A set of related tasks that together constitute a major job duty
A task cluster is a grouping of related tasks that together form a coherent major duty or responsibility within a position.
Question 6: When using the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ), job analysts rate job elements primarily on scales measuring:
- Time spent and difficulty only
- Extent of use, importance, and other relevancy dimensions (Correct answer)
- Salary grade equivalency
- Educational requirements
Correct answer: Extent of use, importance, and other relevancy dimensions
PAQ raters evaluate each job element using multiple rating scales such as extent of use, importance to the job, and amount of time spent.
Question 7: Which job analysis approach is most suitable when a new job is being created and no incumbents exist to survey?
- Incumbent interviews
- Supervisor SME panels combined with future-oriented job analysis (Correct answer)
- Work diary logs
- Exit interview data
Correct answer: Supervisor SME panels combined with future-oriented job analysis
When no incumbents exist, organizations rely on subject matter expert panels (often supervisors or planners) and future-oriented techniques to define anticipated job requirements.
CODESP Job Analysis and Description 2
Which job analysis method involves incumbents recording their activities in a structured diary or log over a specified period?