Pretesting and Revising the Survey of Advanced Individual Training Graduates

Abstract : The Army Family Research Program (AFRP) is a 5-year integrated research program that supports the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) White Paper 1983: The Army Family and The Army Family Action Plans (1984-1990) by developing databases, models, program evaluation technologies, and policy options that assist the Army to retain quality soldiers, improve soldier and unit readiness, and increase family adaptation to Army life. This research pre-tests and revises a survey questionnaire on family-related factors for administration to advanced individual training (AIT) graduates. The survey was administered to 205 soldiers (41 at Fort Dix, 44 at Fort Jackson, and 120 at Fort McClellan) in five military occupational specialties (MOS): 54B, and 64C, 76Y, 94B, and 95B. After administration of the surveys, feed-back sessions were held to discuss clarity of items, administration instruction, and item content. Data were analyzed to evaluate completion time, appropriateness of item content, clarity, and error rates. The findings were used to revise the survey and the administration instructions. Keywords: Army training surveys; Test construction psychology; Individualized training; Job satisfaction; Family members.