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whether or not such coverage surfaces information of a security concern. For this study,
the rating forms are expected to provide the bulk of the data needed for a thorough
analysis as to the overall effectiveness of the enhanced interview questions. However, at
the time of this writing, the sample cases have yet to be adjudicated. Once the rating
forms have been completed, comparisons will be made between the adjudicator rating
forms for the baseline sample and the adjudicator rating forms for the enhanced interview
sample. The rating forms completed by the investigators will also be analyzed to
determine how well the enhanced interview protocol performed in comparison to the
traditional approach to conducting interviews.
Conclusion
There is an inherent tension in the PSI program between needing to validate
information provided on the subject’s security form; a non-confrontational approach,
versus an interview approach which involves probing deeper into areas in the subject’s
life that may be of security concern; an investigative approach. This study intends to
reconcile some of that tension as well as the tension between conducting effective,
thorough interviews and those that are completed and adjudicated in a timely manner.
A number of important findings are expected to emerge from this study. In
determining what makes one interview method superior to another the rating data will
provide meaningful information on improving interview and overall investigative
effectiveness. Because the relative productivity of the subject and workplace interviews is
similar across federal agencies the findings from this study could have implications for
improving interviewing techniques across all the agencies that conduct security
background investigations.
References
Bosshardt, M.J., & Lang, E.L. (2002, November). Improving the subject and employment
interview processes: A review of research and practice. Minneapolis, MN: Personnel
Decisions Research Institutes, Inc.
Carney, R.M. (1996, March). SSBI source yield: An examination of sources contacted
during the SSBI. (PERS-TR-96-001). Monterey, CA: Defense Personnel Security
Research Center.
Defense Security Service. (2001, September 10). DSS Investigations Manual.
Director of Central Intelligence. (1998). Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining
Eligibility to Access to Classified Information (DCID 6/4, Annex C, Jul. 2, 1998).
Washington, D.C.: Author.
Executive Order 12968, “Access to Classified Information,” August 2, 1995.
Kramer, L.A., Crawford, L.S., Heuer, Jr., R.J. & Hagen, R.R. (2001, August). SSBI-PR
source yield: An examination of sources contact during the SSBI-PR. (PERS-TR-01-6).
Monterey CA: Defense Personnel Security Research Center.
Defense Personnel Security Research Center. (2003). Unpublished analyses. Monterey,
CA: Author
Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a (1974).
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003