Comparing the DOT, O*NET and eDOT

#2: How is the Data Collected?

Equally important to who is how the data is collected.

O*NET questionnaires

Organizations and their workers are asked to voluntarily participate in the O*NET survey. There are three different questionnaires that make up the main set of questions about an occupation and each participating worker completes only one of the three. This approach is understandable given the number of variables being rated. However, it may compromise the quality of the data (as explained in the section below on sample size).

Workers are asked to complete one of these questionnaires:

• General Work Activities
• Knowledge
• Work Context

In addition, all workers are asked to complete a Background Questionnaire and a Task Ratings Questionnaire that is customized to each occupation. In special cases where an occupation has only a small number of workers, or it is difficult for logistical reasons to sample workers, occupation experts complete the questionnaires.

Completing the information for each occupation are additional ratings that are provided by occupation analysts.

The O*NET questionnaire is still evolving and whether any of its measures will ever be accepted by courts is still up for debate.