Development of the Multi-Tasking Ability Test (MTAT)

The central goal of research is to develop a commercial test of multi-tasking (MT) ability. The proposed test's utility would be to predict performance in real-world environments that demand high levels of MT activity. In so doing, individuals who are likely to perform well may be selected for employment or assigned to these environments, thereby reducing existing high training costs and attrition that often accompanies MT jobs. The test development stage of the research comprises five tasks, corresponding to five experiments. Each of the five experiments is designed to address a particular research issue whose resolution is called for by current standards for psychological and educational tests. The test validation stage comprises two tasks designed to investigate the construct and criterion validity of the test, respectively, and a third task that will create a commercially viable test.