Application of Task Theory to Task Analysis: Evaluation of Validity and Reliability using Sample Tasks.

The research to date has provided a first evaluation of the validity and reliability of a task analysis performed and an instructional procedure for training individuals to perform the analysis. Specifically, problems performed on desk and pocket calculators were developed to represent selected theoretical tasks. It is concluded that operational task description or task analysis can be translated correctly into the tasks of the theory by minimally trained observers. Reliability was high enough to allow a substantial level of validity and to extend the evaluation to more complex tasks. The establishment of a formal first set of procedures for training personnel was established, which are subject to later improvement.