What do aircraft accident investigators do and what makes them good at it? Developing a competency framework for investigators using grounded theory

• Published in: Safety science Vol. 103; pp. 153 - 161
• Main Authors: Nixon, Jim, Braithwaite, Graham R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Accident investigations; Air accident investigator; Aircraft accident investigation; Aircraft accidents & safety; Competency framework; Grounded theory; Qualitative research; Repertory grid; Safety critical; Air accident investigator; Grounded theory; Competency framework; Repertory grid
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2017.11.017

•A task analysis and competency framework for air accident investigators is proposed.•Grounded-theory analysis was used to develop the framework.•Contextual narratives relating to the competencies have been developed.•The framework could be used for selection or training of investigators.•The framework has application in a number of safety–critical investigation domains. We present a new analysis of the tasks carried out by air accident investigators and propose a new competency framework which captures the competencies demanded of an effective investigator. Using a subject-matter expert panel, a hierarchical task analysis (HTA) was developed to frame and organise the diverse activities that are required of the air accident investigator. Supported by the HTA, a competency framework was developed using structured interviews based on repertory-grid interview technique. Grounded theory was used to abstract competencies derived from the interviews. The resultant competency framework could be applied to selection and training future investigators in other safety critical domains. More immediately, the framework can deliver insight into what differentiates the good investigator from the excellent investigator.