Considerable interest has developed in task taxonomy. Rational approaches are too simple. Empirical classifications based on performance will ultimately be forthcoming. A more readily available technique is described and illustrated where judgments of task verbs serve as data which are intercorrelated and factor-analyzed. In the study, four broad task dimensions were found: cognitive, social, procedural, and physical. Major problems in task taxonomy include the use of job-oriented rather than worker-oriented verbs and the inability to define the level of a task. A well-developed task taxonomy would aid both system designers and researchers on task performance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AllenJ. C.Multi-dimensional analysis of worker-oriented and job-oriented verbs. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1969, 53 (1), 73–79
2.
BainbridgeLisanneBeishonR. J.The place of check lists in ergonomic job analysis. In Proceedings of the Second International Congress on Ergonomics, Dortmund, 1964, 379–387
3.
BennettC. A.Human factors of work: Automation and participation. Paper presented at U.S.C. Symposium: “Human Factors: 1970–1980,” Los Angeles, May 1970
4.
ChilesW. D. (Ed.) Conference proceedings: Assessment of complex operator performance. Human Factors, 1967, 9(4), 325–329
5.
ChristensenJ. M.MillsR. G.What does the operator do in complex systems. Human Factors, 1967, 9 (4), 329–340
6.
CoombsC. H.A theory of data.New York: Wiley, 1964
7.
FleishmanE. A.Dimensional analysis of psychomotor abilities. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 48(6), 1954
8.
FleishmanE. A.The structures and measurement of physical fitness.Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1964
9.
FleishmanE. A.Performance assessment based on an empirically derived task taxonomy. Human Factors, 1967, 9 (4), 349–366
10.
GagneR. M.Human functions in systems. InGagneR. M. (Ed.) Psychological principles in system development.New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston1963
11.
GuilfordJ. P.Three faces of intellect. American Psychologist, 1959, 14, 469–479
12.
GuilfordJ. P.The nature of human intelligence.New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967
13.
JeanneretP. R.McCormickE. J.The job dimensions of “worker-oriented” job variables and of their attribute profiles as based on data from the Position Analysis Questionnaire.Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue University, 1969 (Report No. 2)
14.
McCormickE. J.The development, analysis and experimental application of worker-oriented job variables.Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue University, 1964
15.
McCormickE. J.CunninghamJ. W.GordonG. G.Job dimensions based on factorial analyses of worker-oriented job variables. Personnel Psychology, 1967, 20, 417–430
MillerR. B.Task taxonomy: Science or technology?Ergonomics, 1967, 10 (2), 167–176
18.
OilerR. G.Human factors data thesaurus (AMRL-TR-67-211). Dayton, O.: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1968
19.
OsgoodC. E.SuciG. J.TannenbaumP. H.The measurement of meaning.Urbana: University of Illinois, 1957
20.
PieperW. J.FolleyJ. D.ValverdeH. H.Learner-centered instruction (AMRL-TR-68-51). Dayton, O.: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1968
21.
ReedL. E.Advances in the use of computers for handling human factors task data. (AFHRL-TR-68-13). Dayton, O.: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, 1967
22.
TulleyA. T.MeyerG. K.OilerK. G.MitchellP. J.ReardonS. E.ReedL. E.Development and application of computer software techniques to human factors task data handling problems (AFHRL-TR-68-13). Dayton, O.: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, 1968
23.
U.S. Employment Service.Dictionary of occupational titles.Washington: U.S. Department of Labor1965
