Development of performance evaluation tests for environmental research (PETER): complex counting test.

This study is the first in a program to develop a battery of Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER). Nineteen volunteer subjects were tested daily for 3 weeks on a complex task requiring the operator to keep simultaneous track of several things with changing states. Average daily performances are reported as well as reliabilities of three main types: 1) internal consistency of the test; 2) sensitivity--the ability to differentiate subjects, and 3) stability--consistency of measurement over repeated sessions. The results showed that, on this task, learning was accomplished quickly, and performance stayed level for 3 weeks. The cross-tidal reliability for this test was found relatively stable after 3 d of practice, with a decline of only r=.94 to r=.79 over 11 d. This task is further noted as having several characteristics which make it particularly suitable for use in environmental research. It is concluded that the complex counting test can be recommended for use in environmental and other time-course research.