Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 1-1-2011 Prediction of Air Traffic Controller Trainee Selection and Training Success Using Cognitive Ability and Biodata Karen D. Fox Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of theOrganizational Behavior and Theory Commons,Quantitative Psychology Commons, and theVocational Rehabilitation Counseling Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected]. (cid:57)(cid:67)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:2)(cid:55)(cid:80)(cid:75)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:75)(cid:86)(cid:91) College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Karen D. Fox has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. John Deaton, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Anthony Perry, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. John Schmidt, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2014 Abstract Prediction of Air Traffic Controller Trainee Selection and Training Success Using Cognitive Ability and Biodata By Karen D. Fox MBA, University of Southern California, 1995 BS, Santa Clara University, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University March 2014 Abstract The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has experienced decreased return on investment caused by hiring too many air traffic controller specialists (ATCSs) who performed poorly in field training, thus failing to become certified professional controllers (CPCs). Based on Schmidt and Hunter’s theory of job performance and biodata theory, this quantitative, archival study examined whether factors of cognitive ability and biodata could predict job performance status of 2 generations of ATCSs, poststrike (PS) and next generation (NG) controllers. For each generation of controllers, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine if any of the independent variables—transmuted composite (TMC) score for PS controllers, Air Traffic and Selection and Training (AT-SAT) test score for NG controllers, average of high school arithmetic/math letter grade, overall high school average letter grade, self-estimation of time to become fully effective in the ATCS role, self-estimation of percentile ranking in the FAA program relative to the class, size of neighborhood raised, or socioeconomic status—are significant predictors of job performance status for controllers as measured by whether they pass the field OJT (i.e., certified or still in training, or failed certification or left training). The regression results for the PS and NG controllers were found to be statistically significant ((cid:548)2 (23) = 68.377, p < .001) and ((cid:548)2 (17) = 99.496, p < .001), respectively. Findings that overall high school grade point average and socioeconomic status significantly predicted ATCS job performance for both PS and NG controllers could influence the FAA’s use of revised biodata to better predict ATCS job performance. Further research should include studies of socioeconomic status, gender, and race to address new evidence that the AT-SAT has adverse impact. Prediction of Air Traffic Controller Trainee Selection and Training Success Using Cognitive Ability and Biodata By Karen D. Fox MBA, University of Southern California, 1995 BS, Santa Clara University, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University March 2014 UMI Number: 3614818 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3614818 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my husband, Brian, who has been my biggest advocate with his unwavering belief in my ability to accomplish anything I chose to do. I thank my parents, Rosita and Dan, for their love and support, and for teaching me the values of perseverance and hard work. I also acknowledge my steadfast canine companions, Wolfgang and Star, who were by my side every day as I worked to obtain this degree. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Dana Broach, an IO psychologist employed with the FAA, for generously providing me with his expertise, time, and archival data that enabled me to complete this study. Next, I would like to mention my friends, Petra Campos, Pascal Chen, Dr. Philip Miller, Bonnie Wilde, and Mary Van Horn for their belief in my capabilities that prompted my decision to begin this endeavor several years ago. I would like to thank my dissertation committee, Dr. John Deaton, Dr. Anthony Perry, and Dr. John Schmidt for their expertise, candor, responsiveness, and valuable feedback. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi(cid:3) List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii(cid:3) Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1(cid:3) Introduction ....................................................................................................................1(cid:3) General FAA ATCS Background ..................................................................................3(cid:3) Types of ATCS ....................................................................................................... 4(cid:3) Overview of FAA ATCS Selection and Training Process...................................... 4(cid:3) Two Generations of ATC Controllers..................................................................... 5(cid:3) Stages of FAA ATCS Selection and Training ........................................................ 7(cid:3) Problem Statement .........................................................................................................9(cid:3) Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................10(cid:3) Research Questions and Hypotheses ...........................................................................10(cid:3) Research Question 1: PS Controllers .................................................................... 11(cid:3) Hypothesis 1: PS Controllers ................................................................................ 11(cid:3) Research Question 2: NG Controllers................................................................... 12(cid:3) Hypothesis 2: NG Controllers ............................................................................... 12(cid:3) Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 13(cid:3) Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................14(cid:3) Significance of the Study .............................................................................................15(cid:3) Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................16(cid:3) i