Rational vs. empirical approaches to job/task descriptions for COBOL programmers

• Authors: Felix F. Kopstein
• Venue: SIGCPR '69 Proceedings of the seventh annual conference on SIGCPR
• Year: 1969

Perhaps the intent of this paper will stand out more clearly as figure when viewed against the background or context in which it first arose. While not directly relevant, the context is the development of a computer-administered instruction (CAI) course designed to produce competent COBOL programmers for the U.S. Army. To produce competent COBOL programmers one must specify what constitutes on-the-job competence and this concern led to the considerations to be set forth. Let it be noted clearly at the outset that these considerations obviously transcend COBOL as subject matter and training development as goal. Both are used here merely to provide a continuing illustrative framework. Because the primary concern here is with technique in the sense of practical (not formal) methodology, only simulated empirical data will be presented.