US 5,326,270 A · System and method for assessing an individual's task-processing style

Abstract

A method and apparatus for evaluating the task-processing style of an individual by presenting that individual with a simulated situation and recording the individual's responses while resolving the situation. A subject undergoing the assessment is asked to assume the responsibilities of an Assistant Superintendent of Parks, replacing an individual who has unexpectedly left that position. The subject is first trained in the use of a touch-sensitive screen display for accessing data that may be useful in fulfilling the responsibilities of the simulated position and for providing input data used in the exercise. Each action by the subject undergoing the assessment is recorded in a raw data stream, along with the time that it occurred, and is statistically analyzed with respect to several parameters that define the subject's task-processing style. These parameters are useful in determining whether an individual is suitable for a job and for other assessment purposes, or can be used for training a subject to improve the subject's ability and efficiency in dealing with tasks.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A computer implemented method for assessing a task-processing style of an individual, comprising the steps of:

a. defining a simulated situation for the individual with scenario data that are presented to the individual on a computer-controlled display;
b. making available resource data to the individual on the computer-controlled display so that the individual can optionally select and review the resource data, the resource data being, at least in part, usable by the individual to resolve the simulated situation;
c. recording each access of the resource data made by the individual, and the responses produced by the individual to resolve the simulated situation, thereby producing raw subject data;
d. statistically analyzing the raw subject data to produce a statistical database in which are compiled the accesses made by the individual of the resource data and the responses of the individual to resolve the simulated situation;
and
e. using the statistical database, generating a report that generally characterizes the task-processing style of the individual in respect to a plurality of preselected parameters that are determined according to a set of predefined rules.

3 more elements

A computer for assessing an individual's task-processing style, comprising:

i a. a central processing unit;
b. memory means for storing:
i. instructions that control the central processing unit;
ii. scenario data defining a simulated situation that is to be resolved by the individual;
iii. resource data, of which, at least a portion is useful in resolving the simulated situation;
and
iv. response data that represent at least a part of the individual's resolution of the simulated situation;
c. display means, connected to the central processing unit, for displaying:
i. the scenario data;
ii. specific resource data selectively accessed by the individual;
and
iii. specific response data provided by the individual in resolving the simulated situation;
d. entry means, electrically connected to the central processing unit, for enabling the individual to select the specific resource data for display on the display means and for entering the specific response data into the memory means;
e. statistical analysis means, for analyzing the specific resource data selected by the individual and its sequential order of selection, and for analyzing the specific response data, producing a statistical database that is stored by the memory means;
and
f. report generation means for generating a report from the statistical database that defines the individual's task-processing style in respect to a plurality of preselected parameters in accord with predefined rules.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for assessing an individual's task-processing style

Life of this patent

System and method for assessing an individual's task-processing style

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28