SYLVIA KARMAN

MARK TRAPANI

ELIZABETH KENNEDY

Content Model and Disability Evaluation

Constructs (DEC) Inventory

What is a content model?

Totality of constructs that will form the basis of the new OIS

Blueprint of items, scales, and measures that need to be reflected in a work analysis instrument

Job analysts use the job analysis instrument to conduct work analyses

Data from the work analyses populate the OIS and produce the occupational title taxonomy (i.e. occupational titles)

The content model cannot be finalized until after data collection

Business Process for Development of the OIS

All project activities: Phase I – Preliminary Planning and Information

Gathering Phase II – Design Phase III – Data Gathering and Analysis Phase IV – Product Preparation, Review, and

Approval

Content Model: Phase I

Conceptual plan for content model development

Consultation with the Panel and Workgroup Some assumptions:

OIS content model and subsequent OIS development will be driven by focus on work-side constructs

Development of the content model requires specific expertise

SSA will need to hire or contract with individuals who have that expertise

The content model must address SSA’s disability evaluation needs

Content Model Phase I

General Methodology Use the Work Taxonomy and Classification

Subcommittee’s proposed work taxonomy dimensions as basis for development of the Content Model (Work Taxonomy)

Identify disability evaluation constructs to inform the development of the content model with recognition that the work-side data collected for the OIS will need to be linked with information SSA collects about claimants.

Need for 2 “Phase II” documents

Content Model: Phase II

Phase II: Development of Work Taxonomy Currently in development

Phase II: Identification of Disability Evaluation Constructs Planned to develop 5 inventories (Core Disability

Constructs, Panel, NIH and BU, Public Comments, All Sources).

One analyst develops initial inventories and two policy experts review

Only include functional or vocational constructs on Final List

Only include constructs not in direct conflict with SSA regulations on Final List

Definitions for this activity:

Functional construct: Pertaining to work-related physical, psychological,

and sensory/motor capabilities of a person, or environmental conditions a person may not be able to tolerate due to an impairment.

Vocational construct: Pertaining to age, education, and work experience.

Residual Functional Capacity Form

Mental Residual Functional Capacity Form

Sections of program regulations that pertain most directly to assessment of Residual Functional Capacity and vocational considerations

Definitions from regulations and other policy sources

Phase III: Example of Inventory of Core Disability Policy ConstructsSources:

Source:

Panel’s September 2009 report –

Content Model and Classification Recommendations for the Social Security Administration Occupational Information System

Phase III: Example of Inventory of Panel Constructs

Source:

NIH and BU Content Models for exploratory work with SSA to develop Computer Adaptive Testing instruments

Phase III: Example of Inventory of NIH and BU Constructs

Phase III: Example of Inventory of Constructs from Public Comments

Sources:

In 2010, OVRD staff developed a synthesis of all recommendations and comments received regarding Panel recommendations

Identified constructs based on information in synthesis document

Phase III: Example of Inventory of All Constructs

Next Steps

DEC Phase IV: Product Preparation, Review, and Approval Share with Panel and SSA OIS Development

Workgroup for comments Ensure that relevant comments are considered and

addressed Obtain approval from SSA management for the final

product

Phase II for Development of Work Taxonomy Will describe how we will further develop the work-

side taxonomy with the assistance of work analysis experts

Next Steps

Use the DEC constructs to focus identification of work-side constructs around SSA’s needs

Discussion with work analysis experts, for example, :

Lifting is on the DEC - Need items about lifting. Constructs related to memory on the DEC - How do we

obtain information about memory as a mental demand of work?

Questions and Feedback