Provides research, evaluation, consulting, and technical assistance services that contribute to the lifelong process of learning and improving personal performance.

Adult Education & Literacy Children's Mental Health District Consulting Education Evidence & Indicators Early Childhood Education Finance Education Technology Higher Education School Reform Special EducationWorkforce Research and Analysis

Produces and disseminates information to provide motivation and tools to enable individuals to make informed decisions about health issues.

Communications & Social Marketing Research & Policy Analysis Conference Services, Technical Writing & Clearinghouse/Call Center Management Technical Assistance & Training Informatics, Web Site Development & Information Management

Develops and implements education testing programs that benefit students, parents and public officals.

State Student Testing Computer Statistical Services

Works with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the government's primary source for collecting and analyzing data about public education.

Helps to provide all children with access to a quality education, and empowers people, organizations, and communities to bring about social change.

Is committed to helping clients improve the effectiveness of their workforce through a wide range of management, organizational, and business improvement efforts.

Equity Analysis Organizational Performance Skills Assessment Team Performance Usability Engineering

Produces, maintains and disseminates systematic reviews of the effects of social and behavioral interventions.

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Personnel & Organizational Assessment

Our clients include public companies, professional organizations, the military, and government agencies. We have more than 50 years of experience improving the performance of individuals, teams, and organizations.

Our recent clients include:

Aerotek Corporation  
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Applied Physics Laboratory
Association of American Medical Colleges
Bell Atlantic
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Center for Naval Analysis
Chase Manhattan Bank
Defense Manpower Data Center
Departments of Defense, Education, Energy, Labor, State
Detroit Edison
Federal Aviation Administration
Health Care Finance Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Health Services Corps
National Imagery and Mapping Agency
National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
National Science Foundation
Naval Air Warfare Center Training
Navy Personnel Research and Development Center
Rand Corporation
Schering-Plough Corporation
Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)
Social Security Administration
Software Engineering Institute
Space Telescope Science Institute
States of Florida, North Carolina, Utah
University of Massachusetts
U.S. Air Force Armstrong Laboratory
U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Postal Service

 

Recent projects

AAMC- MCAT Speededness Study I

Determined whether two sections of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Verbal Reasoning and Physical Sciences, are speeded as administered under the current operational time limits

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether two sections of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Verbal Reasoning and Physical Sciences, are speeded as administered under the current operational time limits. That is, would examinees taking the MCAT under current conditions (i.e., number of test items and test administration time) benefit from additional test administration time.

Data were collected using a repeated-measures study design, in which examines were administered one multiple-choice section of the MCAT and told to stop once the operational time limit was reached. At that point, examinees were asked to put away their pencils, which were replaced with a red pen, and were given additional time (equal to one-half of the original operational administration time) to continue taking the test. Test scores were computed two ways: once based responses made during the operational administration time only, and once based on the number of items answered correctly throughout the operational and extended time period. Subjects were recruited from pre-medical students registered for the upcoming operational administration of the MCAT, and motivation was addressed by promising examinees feedback on their performance based on the operational test administration time and one dollar per item answered correctly based on the total test administration time.

NAAL (National Assessment of Adult Literacy)

Currently examining the literacy skills of adults and comparing the literacy skills of workers with different types of training by conducting a data analysis of the 2003 assessment data.

Abstract/ Project Description

AIR is the design and analysis contractor for the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). The 2003 NAAL will help policymakers, program administrators, educators, and researchers who want to obtain a greater understanding of the English literacy skills of adults and various subgroups of adults, including non-native English speakers, immigrants, parents, welfare recipients, minorities, and the elderly. Using data from the assessment, state policymakers will be able to identify populations most in need of literacy services and design programs to target them. The 2003 NAAL includes a new health literacy measure which will help policymakers develop health education materials targeted to the literacy levels of the intended audience. By comparing results from the 2003 NAAL to results from the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), we will be able to see how much progress the nation has made in improving literacy among various subpopulations.

U.S. Department of State
Conducted detailed job analysis of Foreign Service Officer positions

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
For the new computer-based CPA exam, determined the activities and abilities currently required of CPAs

U.S. Army Research Institute

Developing an automated selection tool used for helicopter pilots

U.S. Army Research Institute
Evaluated the system used by the Army to select and classify enlisted personnel

Utah Department of Employment Security
Developed the O*NET system, which will be used by the Department of Labor to describe all jobs within the national economy

Defense Manpower Data Center
Conducted an analysis and evaluation of tests used by the Department of Defense to measure the technical knowledge of enlisted recruits

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
Developed tests and structured interview used by the client to select electrical work apprentices

U.S. Army Research Institute
Investigated the usefulness of various types of tests for improving prediction of job performance of senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the U.S. Army

U.S. Marshals Service-

Developed a test battery used by the client to select Deputy U.S. Marshals

Abstract:

The United States Marshal Service (USMS) requires a valid selection system for hiring applicants into a revised classification of the Deputy U. S. Marshal (DUSM) position. AIR is partnering with Jeanneret & Associates (Prime Contractor) to develop and validate the selection system. The new selection system includes both a written test battery and structured interview.

We began the work by conducting a future-oriented job analysis to identify the duties and tasks of the revised DUSM position and the knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics (KSAPs) required for performing them. In doing so, we reviewed background materials, conducted structured interviews and focus groups, and met with senior officials responsible for defining the scope of the revised DUSM position. Information from all sources was used to develop specifications for the selection system.

We then developed an experimental test battery that consisted of both cognitive (e.g., reading comprehension, situation judgment) and noncognitve (e.g., biodata) tests to assess the important KSAPs identified in the job analysis. After the test was initially administered to approximately 10,000 applicants, we concluded this project with impact analyses of the test results and writing the final report. We also developed applicant materials to familiarize applicants with the selection system, as well as training materials for USMS personnel who are responsible for the selection system.