Integrating laboratory and field study for improving selection: Development of a battery for predicting air traffic controller success.

Abstract

An example of combining laboratory-and-field-based study to develop a selection battery for field implementation is described. The procedure provides advantages in comparison with sole use of field-based experimentation: namely, greater control over examinee samples, collection of construct validity data, and fewer field demands for cross-validation. Two experiments were conducted that converge on development of a test battery for selection of air traffic controllers (ATCs). The laboratory study (N=112) used an ATC simulator (terminal radar approachcontrol, or TRACON for initial development and evaluation of the selection battery. The field study of 206 Federal Aviation Administration ATC trainees provided cross-validation data as a precursor to implementation of the battery. Implications for developing ability-based and self-efficacy-based selection measures for complex job performance are discussed, as are general issues for new selection research and application.