Development of the Navy Computer Adaptive Personality Scales (NCAPS)

Abstract : The research described in this technical report is part of a broader research program in which the Navy is investigating the usefulness of adding measures of non-cognitive attributes to supplement the ASVAB. The instrument which is described in this report is entitled "Navy Computer Adaptive Personality Scales" (NCAPS). NCAPS uses a computerized adaptive testing approach in which successive pairs of items representing two different levels of a trait are presented to examinees. This research began by formulating a 19-dimension taxonomy of personality traits that integrated prominent personality taxonomies and instruments. Twenty-five PDRI and U.S. Navy psychologists from NPRST performed this rating task. Data were pooled across the experts, and 10 traits were selected based on the results. A sample of 305 first tour Navy enlisted personnel was administered both this final version of NCAPS (Adaptive NCAPS) and a 205-item, computerized, traditionally-formatted (5-point Likert scale) personality inventory measuring the same 10 personality traits (Traditional NCAPS). The evidence in this report supports the viability of the Adaptive NCAPS approach to personality assessment. Adaptive NCAPS yielded more precise trait estimates and out-predicted Traditional NCAPS against supervisor-rated performance ratings for Naval enlisted personnel and was completed in less time than Traditional NCAPS.