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Criterion analysis and content validity for standardized behavioral tests in a detector-dog breeding program
Citation
Rocznik, D and Sinn, DL and Thomas, S and Gosling, SD, Criterion analysis and content validity for standardized behavioral tests in a detector-dog breeding program, Journal of Forensic Sciences, 60, (s1) pp. s213-s221. ISSN 0022-1198 (2015) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
© 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences
DOI: doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12626
Abstract
Many working-dog programs assess behavior during a dog’s first year of life with the aim of predicting success in the field.
However, decisions about which tests to administer are frequently made on the basis of tradition or intuition. This study reports results from a
survey given to U.S.A.’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) detection-dog handlers (N = 34). We categorized and summarized
handlers’ responses regarding traits they felt were important for work. We used this criterion analysis to examine the content validity of the
TSA’s puppy tests. Results indicate that 13 of 15 traits that are currently being measured are relevant. However, several traits not currently
measured were identified as being highly important, notably "play" and off-duty "calmness." These results provide support that the TSA tests
are measuring traits relevant to operational search team performance but also highlight other traits that may be profitable to assess in this and
other detection-dog programs.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | working dog behavior, working success, forensic science, detection dogs, animal personality, measurement science, content validity, criterion analysis, questionnaire methods |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Behavioural Ecology |
Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
Objective Group: | Expanding Knowledge |
Objective Field: | Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences |
UTAS Author: | Sinn, DL (Dr David Sinn) |
ID Code: | 105653 |
Year Published: | 2015 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 6 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2016-01-12 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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