94 
EMPLOYMENT PSYCHOLOGY 
given length of time, regardless of whether the speed of 
dictation is too slow or too fast. The other is to adapt the 
speed of dictation as nearly as possible to the capacity of 
the applicant. In either case the result is graded accord 
ing to the amount done correctly. The former method has 
proved unsuccessful partly because it is impossible for 
any examiner to give dictation at an absolutely uniform 
rate of speed to every individual, and partly because it is 
obviously unfair to require a novice or an unpractical 
stenographer to take dictation at a rate which her sub 
sequent employer may never expect her to equal. The 
tests given in the Appendix are examples of tests used for 
this purpose. These tests were given as nearly as possible 
at the speed which was best adapted to the applicant’s 
ability. The results were then graded on both the basis of 
the total time consumed and the amount done correctly. 
Stenographers are frequently required to do work of 
more importance than merely taking and transcribing 
dictation. They frequently hold secretarial positions 
which require considerable executive ability. In that 
case, care must be taken not to place an interpretation on 
these tests which exceeds the purpose for which they are 
intended. Further tasks and abilities require additional 
and more difficult tests. 
COMPUTING-MACHINE OPERATORS 
The use of computing machines in connection with 
cost and payroll work, the taking of inventories, and 
statistical work of all kinds, has become very extensive. 
Indeed, so important has this work become that there 
is now a very large class of workers who specialize in the 
use of one of these machines just as the typist and stenog 
rapher specialize in the use of a typing machine. The