Toward Empirical, Practicable, Comprehensive Task Taxonomy

Abstract

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.

Identification and evaluation of methods to determine ability requirements for Air Force occupational specialties

“…Functional job analP.,sis is based on the assumption that task verbs can be related to levels of abiliuv requirements. Bennett (1971) also used a verb-centered methodology for forecasting effects of automation on the future job market.…”

A Review of Models and Procedures for Synthetic Validation for Entry-Level Army Jobs

“…Willis ' (1961) model was developed to investigate implications of learning principles and behavior classifications for training devices. Four broad task types were defined in a semantic approach by Bennett (1971) with worker-oriented verbs as the descriptors. Peterson and his colleagues developed models for specific jobs which include motivational components (Peterson et al, 1977;Peterson & Houston, 1980) and additional components useful for the Army (Peterson et al, 1982).…”

“…Willis' (1961) model was developed to investigate implications of learning principles and behavior classifications for training devices. Four broad task types were defined in a semantic approach based on worker-oriented verb descriptors (Bennett, 1971). A taxonomy containing components useful for at least one relat-d Army job--Military Police (95B)--was developed in a study of the State Patrol Officer Job (Peterson, 1980).…”

“…The model's disadvantages include the abstract nature of the behavioral descriptors, lack of definitions for the descriptors, lack of evidence that analysts can reliably assign tasks to categories, and lack of formal evidence supporting validity of training device decisions based on the model. Semantic Classificatory Approach (Bennett) Rather than follow either the rational (e.g., Miller, 1969;Gagne, 1974) or empirical (e.g., Fleishman, 1975) route to development of a taxonomy, Bennett (1971) took an alternative approach. His approach was first to locate worker-oriented verbs from task analysis work.…”

Elderly People and the Environment

“…The meal preparation research protocol required a more refined system for analysis and characterization of tasks which could still be used with the videotape record of the entire activity and assessed for its utility and its reliability. Bennett (1971) has summarized arguments relating to task analysis as an empirical process and as a rational or judgmental process. As an empirical process, task analysis is the development of task taxonomies based on hard data which demonstrate that the taxonomy contains only those categories required to explain the observable variations in performance.…”