PSYC 651: Foundations in I/O Psychology
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Psychology or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: (3)
Covers the fundamental concepts and techniques used to apply I/O psychology to work behavior. Includes job analysis methods, techniques, and applications; employment law related to personnel selection, performance appraisal, and the work environment; and other current issues in I/O. Introduces the concepts of validity and reliability used in I/O practices.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
1. Job Analysis Techniques
a. Interviews
b. Observation
c. Job Participation
d. Critical Incident Technique
e. Task Analysis
f. Knowledge, Skill, Ability, Other (KSA/O) Analysis
g. Linkage Analysis
h. Structured Approaches
2. Legal Issues
a. Civil Rights Laws as related to employment
b. EEOC regulations
c. Adverse Impact
3. Reliability
a. Test-Retest
b. Parallel-Forms
c. Internal Consistency
d. Inter-rater Reliability
4. Validity
a. Construct
b. Criterion
c. Content
5. Job Evaluation
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course may include formal lecture, discussion, debate, and applied projects.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of the foundation concepts in industrial-organizational psychology, including job analysis, legal issues, validity, and reliability. Students will be able to:
1. Describe and conduct various job analysis techniques.
2. Apply employment law to the practice of I/O psychology.
3. Describe and apply basic measurement concepts to I/O psychology.
4. Understand how job analysis is the basis for more advanced topics in I/O, such as selection, performance appraisal, training and job evaluation.
Assessment Measures
Graded assignments may include exams, debates, written assignments, projects, class participation, presentations, and formal research papers.
Other Course Information
If available, a client-based project may be conducted.
Review and Approval
5/94
Revised: March 10, 1999
Revised: 12/8/04 (Prerequisite change.)
Revised: 5/7/09