Improving staff performance in a residential child-care setting using computer-assisted feedback

Improving the performance of direct-care staff is a critical objective of human service organizations. The present multiple baseline study evaluated a computer-assisted method of performance feedback that targeted the observation and documentation of instructional activities conducted by staff at a residential school for children with developmental disabilities. The staff's completion of assigned observational and recording procedures were summarized daily using a data-entry system formulated for a personal computer. These data were presented as feedback to staff with accompanying performance review by a supervisor. Relative to a baseline (no feedback) phase, the feed-back intervention increased the correct performance of staff. The use of feedback as a practical method of personnel management in human service organizations is discussed.