Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Positionsanalyse-Fragebogen / Español: Cuestionario de Análisis de Posición / Português: Questionário de Análise de Posição / Français: Questionnaire d'Analyse de Poste / Italiano: Questionario di Analisi della Posizione /

The Position Analysis Questionnaire refers to a structured Job analysis method developed by McCormick.

The Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) is a job analysis tool used in industrial and organizational psychology to determine the key characteristics and requirements of a particular job. It is a standardized questionnaire consisting of 194 items that assess a variety of job factors, including the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) required for successful performance in the job.

Here are some examples of how the PAQ can be used in the psychology context:

1. Job analysis: The PAQ can be used to conduct a job analysis to identify the key characteristics of a particular job. The results of the questionnaire can be used to create a job description, which can then be used to guide the selection, training, and performance evaluation of employees.

2. Job evaluation: The PAQ can also be used to evaluate the worth of a job in terms of its value to an organization. By analyzing the requirements of a job, including the KSAs needed for successful performance, the PAQ can help determine the relative value of different jobs within an organization.

3. Organizational design: The PAQ can also be used to design organizations by identifying the key job requirements and creating job descriptions for different roles within the organization. This can help ensure that each job is clearly defined and that employees have the necessary KSAs to perform their roles effectively.

4. Performance management: The PAQ can also be used as part of a performance management system to evaluate employee performance. By comparing the KSAs required for a job to an employee's actual performance, managers can identify areas where the employee may need additional training or development.

Overall, the Position Analysis Questionnaire is a valuable tool for industrial and organizational psychologists to use in a variety of settings, including job analysis, job evaluation, organizational design, and performance management.