Phase 1 Statement of Task (12 months)
An ad-hoc committee will plan and host a public workshop to encourage inter-disciplinary dialogue on the current and future state-of-the-science in measurement of individual capability and the combination of individual capabilities to create collective capacity to perform. The workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions to address the following questions:
1. Beyond tests of cognitive ability (e.g., Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery [ASVAB] and personality (e.g., Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System [TAPAS]) already in use by the U.S. Army, which cutting-edge areas of research, including those already being investigated by the U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI), may provide new and unique scientifically-valid methods for measuring individual capabilities and predicting individual and collective performance?
2. Are there recent or emerging theoretical, technological, and/or statistical advances which have enabled new approaches and/or measurement capabilities with respect to the measurement of individual capability and the combination of individual capabilities to create collective capacity to perform?
3. Are there neuroscience or psychophysiology advances related specifically to the understanding of individual differences that suggest new ways to approach empirical research and theory development in this area? If so, what are they, who are the researchers, and how might they be applied in ARI’s basic research program?
4. ARI would benefit from an inter-disciplinary discussion of “gaps” and potential research related specifically to theories of individual differences (cognitive, affective, personality, social or interpersonal skills), testing and measurement methods, test theory, statistical and mathematical modeling of collective/group/team performance, and the combination of individual capabilities to create collective capacity to perform. Which “gaps” exist in the scientific findings? Which “gaps” appear the most promising for future research with potential near term payoff?
The discussion and major themes that emerge from the workshop will be synthesized in an individually authored workshop summary.
Phase 2 Statement of Task (18 months)
In Phase 2, the committee will consider in more depth and detail specific research areas presented at the original workshop. The committee will develop consensus findings and recommendations to guide policy, procedures, and research related to the measurement of individual capability and the combination of individual capabilities to create collective capacity to perform. To the extent the evidence warrants, the committee will identify the most promising research areas to assess through the following questions and tasks:
1. What are the most promising approaches to measurement of individual capability and the combination of individual capabilities to create collective capacity to perform? Do recent or emerging theoretical, technological, and/or statistical advances provide scientifically valid new approaches and/or measurement capabilities?
2. Assess the neuroscience or psychophysiology advances related specifically to the understanding of individual differences that suggest new ways to approach empirical research and theory development in this area. How should the U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI) take advantage of these in its basic research program?
3. Recommend a future research agenda for ARI to maximize the efficiency, accuracy, and effective use of human capability measurement related to theories of individual differences (cognitive, affective, personality, social or interpersonal skills), testing and measurement methods, test theory, statistical and mathematical modeling of collective/group/team performance, and the combination of individual capabilities to create collective capacity to perform. In developing this research agenda, the committee will identify immediate research opportunities in the most promising topics likely to have the highest near-term payoff.
4. Specify the basic research funding level needed to implement the recommended agenda for future ARI research.