Komaki, J. L. (1998).
When performance improvement is the goal: A new set of criteria for criteria.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
31, 263-280.
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