Date of Award:

12-2010

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling

Department name when degree awarded

Special Education and Rehabilitation

Committee Chair(s)

Robert Morgan

Committee

Robert Morgan

Committee

Charles Salzberg

Committee

Cindy Myers

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of job preference and job match on job performance among four 19-to 20-year-old young adults with developmental disabilities placed in community-based job conditions. Prior studies have examined the effects of job preference on community-based job performance without the job-matching component. The researcher identified high-preference, high-match and low-preference, low-match job conditions and tasks using a video web-based assessment program. Each participant was subsequently placed in a randomized sequence of 30-min sessions on one high-preference, high-match job condition performing a preferred task and one low-preference, low-match job performing a non preferred task. Job coaches instructed and prompted participants throughout the study, teaching job tasks based on criteria specified by the employer or industry standard. Data collectors recorded data on (a) on-task performance, (b) productivity, (c) quality and quantity of work, (d) job satisfaction as measured through participant judgment of preferred and well-matched jobs, and (e) an independent observer's judgment of well-matched jobs. The researcher found higher productivity, accuracy, and job satisfaction across all participants on the high-preference, high-match jobs as well as higher quantity of work completed for three of the four participants. On- task levels remained high in both job conditions for three of the four participants. Results are discussed in terms of variables in and limitations to this study as well as suggestions for future research.

Checksum

6e1c66afc1c98112f0b226d763c4a872

Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on November 1, 2010.

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