BACKROUND INFORMATION FOR TASK #14

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010020-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 20
• Content Type: MISC

(3113
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/18: alA-RDP79B00873A00080001002V-LT.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This document is provided as background information to assist those persons
involved in support of Task #14, "Target Recognition Training for Area
Specialists." Specifically, information is provided to define the objectives
and agenda of a meeting to be held 12 February with Sponsor personnel, the
general purpose of which is to define training program content.
The overall objectives of the training program are defined in DK-400-1, pages .
.29 through 32. Further background information is given in DK-473, pages 16
through 47 and 57 through 65. Familiarity with both of these references is
recommended:for those persons involved ?in the 12 February meeting.
The objectives of the 12, February meeting are as follows:
1) To reach a decision on whether or not search training will be pro-
vided in addition to the planned target recognition training:: '
2) To develop a prioritized list of targets for 'which recognition..
training will be given; and
3) To discuss potential methods of training administration.
The meeting is intended as a working session and maximum interchange is
desired.
2.0 SEARCH TRAINING
An analysis of Task #7 and #8 data indicated that individuals who performed
well on search (hunting) tasks did not necessarily perform well on target
recognition tasks; the reverse was also true. This, in turn, suggested that
search and target recognition require different skills and thus different
training.
Search training is designed to insure that the interpreter scans all of the
image in the most efficient manner and does not overlook any potential
targets. It differs from target recognition training in that emphasis is
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placed on how and where tolook for targets rather than the actual appear-
ance of the targets. Other studies have shown that search training 18 of
considerable effectiveness in improving speed or completeness of search.
During the discussions of 12 -February, a decision must be reached as to
?whether or not search training will be provided. Further, if it is
decided to provide search training, some agreement must be reached as to
the relative emphasis to be placed on search vs. target recognition
training.
3.0 TARGET SELECTION
As a necessary initial step in the development of target recognition train-
ing, agreement must be reached on the targets to be included in the
training program. At the present time, two lists of 30 targets each have
been developed by the Sponsor, both are based on the results of Task #8
performance data and consist entirely of targets included in Task #8 test-
ing. In order to remain within program time and budget constraints,
list of 25-30 targets is needed; the current lists are too large. There
has also been some discussion to the effect that not all targets of high
interest (for purposes of training) were included in Task #8 testing; these
should be considered in the development of a final target list. Finally,
it may prove desirable to consider targets from Task #8 testing in addition
to those now included in the two 30-item target lists.
The target selection process, then, will be applied to Task #8 targets
and any additional targets suggested by Sponsor personnel. Targets will
be selected by applying the selection criteria discussed in Section 3.1.
After completion of the selection process, it will be necessary to prioritize
the list in temns of training importance. The purpose of assigning each
target a priority is to provide for the possibility of subsequent reductions
in the number of targets for which training is-provided. Such reductions
may be necessary depending on the amount of search training provided.
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3.1 Target Selection Criteria
The following criteria will be used to select a prioritized list of 25 to
30 -targets:
1) Target Frequency - Targets selected should occur with sufficient
frequency so that they are important in terms of overall Sponsor
performance, and sufficient image examples exist to provide.
adequate training.
2) Target Importance - Targets should be important in the sense that
misidentifying or not finding the target is considered to be a
serious problem.
3) Task #8 Performance - Selected targets which were tested in Task #8
should show low performance'-- those showing high performance are
much less likely to benefit from training.
4) Non-Duplication of Offutt Training - One objective of the train-
ing program is to avoid duplication of Offutt training -- selected
targets should be those which are not adequately covered at Offutt
(as demonstrated by Task #8 ?data).
5) Error Type - A number of the errors which occurred on Task #8
testing appeared to be the result of scoring problems and/or
failure to report targets in accordance with desired procedures
and terminology. It was decided to not provide training relat-
ing to such verbal errors but rather to concentrate on errors
clearly due to not recognizing or misidentifying targets.
Accordingly, selected targets should not be those where errors
are due to scoring or administrative reporting procedures.
6) Training Cohesiveness - For some targets, errors are primarily
due to confusion with another target. In such cases, it is
desirable to provide training on both the target which is mis-
identified and the target with which it is confused. Further,
from the standpoint of training efficiency and effectivenes,
it is desirable to train on logical groupings of targets. 1 For
3
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these reasons, selection of a particular target from the Task #8 list
may imply the need to provide training on one or more related targets.
These related targets must be identified as part of the target
selection process.
The major objective of these criteria is to insure that the prototype train-
ing program has the greatest possible impact on improvement of overall
performance. At the same time, the program must be developed in a Manner
such that it can be adequately evaluated and shown to be worth (in terms
of performance) its cost of preparation.
3.2 Status of Current Target Lists
The two lists of targets developed by the Sponsor are recorded in DK-473,
pages 46 and 47. These lists have been reviewed in terms of selection
criteria (3), (4), and (5); results are shown in Table I. The assumption'
is made that those targets which showed high correlation with Offutt
attendance (person attending Offutt did well on the items) are being
adequately covered in Offutt training.
4.0 TRAINING.METHODS
Having established a target list and reached a decision as to whether or
not search training will be provided, the final portion of the meeting will
be devoted to a discussion of training methods. Table II outlines some of
the potential methods and techniques which might be used; the purpose of
the discussion is to elicit Sponsor comments on past experience with any of
these methods and techniques.
5.0 MEETING AGENDA
A proposed meeting agenda is shown in Table III. As indicated previously,
the meeting is considered to be a working session. To this end, a review
of Task #8 response data and imagery will be carried out as part of the
session.
4
?, ??
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TARGET NO,
8
261
410
97
272
267
268
51
413
415
376
202
54
182
80
181
210
382
85
169
316
147
106
384 .
286
9
/89
31
177
TABLE I: EVALUATION OF CURRENT TARGET LIST
(3)
> 50% GENERALIST
SCORE
x.
5
(4) (5)
HIGH CORRELATION" ,PROBABLE SCORING
WITH OFFUTT OR?VERBAL-TYPE
ATTENDANCE ERRORS
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TABLE I EVALUATION OF CURRENT TARGET LIST (Continued)
TARGET NO.
216
397
196
263
259
398
197
226
300 .
260
195
414
54
123
400
187
51
299
180
134
71
116
120
57
72
87
76
270
40
278
71
(3)
50% GENERALIST
SCORE
6
(4)
HIGH CORRELATION
WITH OFFUTT
ATTENDANCE
X
X
? (5)
PROBABLE SCORING
OR VERBAL-TYPE
ERRORS
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TABLE II: TRAINING PROGRAM DECISION ALTERNATIVES
DECISION ALTERNATIVE
Training Type Search vs. Recognition
Part vs. Whole Task
Training Approach -
Search
Training Approach -
Recognition
Training Media
Training Methods
7
Search Strategy
Error Avoidance Training
Visual Field Expansion
Speeded Training
Search Aids
Minimum Image
Target Abstractions
Target Drawings
Models
Error: Key
Self-Concept Formation
Lecture/ Discussion
Practical Exercise
Slide/Tape or Movie
Programmed Text
Individual vs. Group
Adaptive vs. Non-adaptive
Feed Back & Reinforcement
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TABLE III: PROPOSED DISCUSSION AGENDA
SUBJECT SUGGESTED TIME
Review of Program Objective 15 min.
II Review of Tasks #7 and #8 Data 30 min.
III Discussion of Search Training 1 Hr.
IV Development of Preliminary Target List 1 Hr.
A. Review of Current List
B. New Additions
C. Criteria Statement
V Review of Preliminary Target List
A. Image Review
B. Response Review
C. Criteria Review
D. Final List Selection
E. Prioritization of List
VI Training Methods Discussion
A. Potential Methods
B. Cost/Benefit Trades
C. Preliminary Methods Listing
3 Hrs.
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