Methods Of Gathering
Job Information Companies use several methods to gather job information:
interviews, observation, diaries, and questionnaires. Factors such as cost and
job complexity will influence the choice of method.
- Interviews. The interviewer (usually a member of the HR department) interviews a representative sample of job incumbents using a structured interview. The structured interview includes a series of job-related questions that is presented to each interviewee in the same order.
- Observation. An individual observes the job incumbent actually performing the job and records the core job characteristics from observation. This method is used in cases where the job is fairly routine and the observer can identify the job essentials in a reasonable amount of time. The job analyst may videotape the job incumbent in order to study the job in greater detail.
- Diaries. Several job incumbents may be asked to keep diaries or logs of their daily job activities and record the amount of time spent on each activity. By analyzing these diaries over a representative period of time (perhaps several weeks), a job analyst is able to capture the job’s essential characteristics.
- Questionnaires. The job incumbent fills out a questionnaire that asks a series of questions about the job’s knowledge, skill, and ability requirements; duties; and responsibilities. Each question is associated with a quantitative scale that measures the importance of the job factor or the frequency with which it occurs. A computer can then tally the scores on the questionnaires and create a printout summarizing the job’s characteristics.
- Internet-based data collection. The human resource department puts a job analysis questionnaire on an intranet Web site and instructs employees to complete the questionnaire by a certain date. A software program evaluates the responses and summarizes the job characteristics using standardized descriptors that can be generalized across many different job categories. The Internet-based collection of job data takes less time than many of the other methods, such as face-to-face interviews and direct observation. The U.S. Department of Labor developed the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) as an Internet-based data collection method for collecting job information for over 800 occupations. O*NET provides information on tasks; job-related behaviors; and knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the job.