Evaluating the Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services Across Supervisors

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

Summer 2023

First Committee Member

Dickson, Chata A.

Second Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel H.

Abstract

The Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services (PDC-HS; Carr et al., 2013) is an assessment used to identify the variables that lead to satisfactory staff performance in human service settings. Although there is a growing body of research showing that the PDC-HS can be a useful tool for this purpose (Wilder et al, 2020), a number of questions remain. In the current study, we evaluated using the form as a questionnaire and examined test-retest reliability with individual raters with different levels of experience and education. We then compared the results of the questionnaires to the results obtained when the PDC-HS was presented in an interview format with the same raters. Finally, based on a review of the interviews, an intervention was implemented to address the staff performance problem. Three supervisors from varying backgrounds and one case manager participated. The PDC-HS was administered in three iterations on the target behavior of case managers summing and transferring daily data onto an online database. The first two iterations were self-administered by the supervisors who completed the forms independently. The second iteration included edits made by the researcher for clarifications. The final iteration was interview-led and was completed by the lead researcher with each supervisor independently. In the interview-led iteration, two supervisors identified Performance, Consequences, Effort, and Competition as the top-ranked domain of concern. Performance feedback was the selected intervention. Results indicated that performance feedback was effective in improving case managers summing of daily data on time.

This document is available upon request to Western New England University faculty, students, and staff. Please contact D'Amour Library at dref@wne.edu for access.

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