WHEN PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IS THE GOAL: A NEW SET OF CRITERIA FOR CRITERIA Judith L. Komaki
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, (1998)Abstract
Weitz (1961), aware of the lure of tradition and expedience, urged the identification of
evaluation standards for dependent variables, which he referred to as criteria for criteria.
In this article, five criteria are proposed using the mnemonic SURF & C: the directness
of sampling (S); the responsiveness of the target (i.e., making sure the dependent variable
is under (U) the worker’s control); the reliability (R) of observers; the frequent (F) assessment
of the target during the intervention period; and the critical (C) nature of the
target. Together the criteria provide guidelines for what and how targets should be assessed.
Their necessity is illustrated in two year-long experiments designed to improve
the preventive maintenance of heavy equipment in the U.S. Marine Corps. Although the
criteria are limited to evaluating dependent variables in field experiments, they are recommended
as the foundation for successful performance efforts in any applied setting.
DESCRIPTORS: performance appraisal, observation, measurement, assessment, dependent
variable, target behavior, feedback