U.S. Army Classification Research Panel: Conclusions and Recommendations on Classification Research Strategies

Abstract : As the U.S. Army transforms to meet the needs of the future force, the importance of classifying recruits to entry-level jobs will only increase, as will research to enhance the classification process (e.g.. development and validation of non-cognitive predictors). A critical component to ensuring the success of this research and its implementation. is having meaningful and reliable criterion data. Since the late 1980s, however, collecting criterion data for a sufficient number of jobs to meet the Army's classification research needs has proven a challenge. To find solutions to this challenge, the U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI) contracted with the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) to convene a six-member Classification Research Panel. Overall, the Panel recommended that the solution to this challenge ultimately rests on (a) a solid, job analysis system, (b) a method for generalizing (or transporting) validity information across MOS (i.e.. for the purposes of estimating classification efficiency for the entire system), and (c) a supporting relational database that collects and stores occupational/job analysis and other relevant data (e.g., criterion-related validity estimates) over time. This report summarizes the Panel's recommendations. It concludes with a roadmap outlining a comprehensive, long-term solution to the Army's criterion challenge.