Arthur J. Adams

The NFL combine: does it predict performance in the National Football League?

Kuzmits, FE and Adams, AJ. The NFL combine: does it predict performance in the National Football League? J Strength Cond Res 22(6): 1721-1727, 2008-The authors investigate the correlation between National Football League (NFL) combine test results and NFL success for players drafted at three different offensive positions (quarterback, running back, and wide receiver) during a recent 6-year period, 1999-2004. The combine consists of series of drills, exercises, interviews, aptitude tests, and physical exams designed to assess the skills of promising college football players and to predict their performance in the NFL. Combine measures examined in this study include 10-, 20-, and 40-yard dashes, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 20- and 60-yard shuttles, three-cone drill, and the Wonderlic Personnel Test. Performance criteria include 10 variables: draft order; 3 years each of salary received and games played; and position-specific data. Using correlation analysis, we find no consistent statistical relationship between combine tests and professional football performance, with the notable exception of sprint tests for running backs. We put forth possible explanations for the general lack of statistical relations detected, and, consequently, we question the overall usefulness of the combine. We also offer suggestions for improving the prediction of success in the NFL, primarily the use of more rigorous psychological tests and the examination of collegiate performance as a job sample test. Finally, from a practical standpoint, the results of the study should encourage NFL team personnel to reevaluate the usefulness of the combines physical tests and exercises as predictors of player performance. This study should encourage team personnel to consider the weighting and importance of various combine measures and the potential benefits of overhauling the combine process, with the goal of creating a more valid system for predicting player success.

Changes in the athletic profile of elite college American football players.

Abstract Robbins, DW, Goodale, TL, Kuzmits, FE, and Adams, AJ. Changes in the athletic profile of elite college American football players. J Strength Cond Res 27(4): 861–874, 2013—The purpose of this study was to compare positional anthropometric and National Football League (NFL) Combine performance levels in elite college American football players over the 3-year period from 1999 to 2001 to the 3-year period from 2008 to 2010. The sample included 15 offensive and defensive positions, and only those players invited to the combine and subsequently drafted in the same year (n = 1,712) were included in the study. Data from 10 combine physical tests were examined, including weight; height; the 9.1-, 18.3-, and 36.6-m sprints; the vertical and horizontal jumps; the 18.3-m shuttle run; the 3-cone drill; and the 102.1-kg bench press for maximum repetitions. Independent samples t-tests detected differences for each of the 15 positions (p < 0.05). There were no discernible trends in height and weight over the period in question, whereas players in the more recent group significantly improved performance in straight sprinting, the 3-cone drill, and the horizontal jump. Findings suggest that these tests better reflect characteristics such as explosiveness and first-step quickness as compared with the 18.3-m shuttle and the vertical jump, and that such characteristics have become more highly sought after by NFL coaches and scouts. The results of the present research suggest that the position-specific profiles changed over a relatively short period of time. Coaches and practitioners will be able to use the findings of this research to better prepare athletes for entry into the NFL.

Organizational politics:Tactics, channels, andhierarchical roles

This research examines the relationships among the types of self-serving political messages sent in organizations, the channels through which they are sent, and the targets to whom they are sent. Two theoretical streams converge in this study: Communication as Political Behavior and Media Usage Theory. A review and synthesis of these two bodies of literature yielded three hypotheses, each of which received strong statistical support. The data suggest that the process of encoding and transmitting self-serving messages is strongly related to the specific target to whom they are sent (boss, subordinate, or peer) and the channel through which they are sent (face-to-face, telephone, memo, or e-mail).

Across- versus within-class comparative advertising: Insights into prestige class anchoring

Advertising manipulations show that across-class comparisons with a leader in a more prestigious class result in an increase in perceived value for the sponsoring advertiser. Such results provide suggestive insights into the viability of across-class advertising when contrasted to an alternative advertising framework (within-class comparisons). This study develops the theory and results of across-class associations and addresses its limitations and areas in need of inquiry.

Investigation of giving behavior to united way using log-linear modeling and discriminant analysis: An empirical study

Giving behavior toward a charitable organization is modeled by two different procedures: discriminant analysis and a log-linear model. Although the discriminant procedure is beter known in marketing, the log-linear approach has less restrictive model assumptions and may more accurately represent the conceptual basis of consumer decisions. Two situations are considered: (1) a simple binary classification of the giving decision, and (2) a three-group case of no gift, small, and large gift. Utilizing a large data base and a holdout sample for comparative purposes, the log-linear procedure is found to be an attractive alternative to discriminant analysis in terms of correct classification of individuals.

360-feedback in health care management: a field study.

In recent years, organizations representing all types of industries, including health care, have adopted the 360-feedback approach with the goal of strengthening leader performance. But while 360-feedback enjoys a high level of face validity, current research shows that it is not problem-free and often fails to achieve its goals without proper development and implementation. This research, conducted in a large public hospital, surveyed the top management team of 49 executives who participated in a 360-feedback project beginning in February 2001. The survey, designed to solicit opinions about the effectiveness of the 360-feedback project, resulted in several recommendations to improve the process: One, both mentors and participants (raters and those rated) should be formally trained to improve the feedback process. Two, participants-both raters and those rated-should be significantly involved in 360-feedback planning and development efforts. Three, the 360-feedback process should be linked to hospital objectives. Four, the 360-feedback process should focus not only on interpersonal issues but departmental and organizational goals as well. First and foremost, our findings show that regardless of how popular a management development program may be, no technique for improving management and organizational effectiveness, including 360-feedback, will work unless properly designed and implemented.

Procedures for Revising Management Judgments Forecasts

Forecast improvement is often approached by attempting to find the “best” model for a given situation. Less attention has been paid to the possibility of examining past prediction errors for patterns that may suggest forecast adjustments for the future. This empirical study involves one firm’s management judgment forecasts for product sales and the attempts made to improve their accuracy by removing certain types of bias. In three of the five series examined, error reduction averaging close to thirty percent occurs as a result of the adjustment procedure. The other two series proved to be relatively free from bias and were therefore not in need of the correction method described.

Using the Calendar to Improve Sales Forecasts

Monthly sales data for products whose sales fluctuate regularly according to the day of the week may be subject to a source of variation which makes model fitting and forecasting more difficult. This problem is described and illustrated within the context of the ARIMA class of univariate models. Procedures to recognize and account for the problem are presented, and improvements in the ability to forecast future sales are noted in the sample series examined.

Developing Perspectives into Across-Class Associational Advertising

Abstract This study extends the research into the developing field of across-class associational advertising, finding that claims featuring a forthcoming model with a quality reputation for the manufacturer may be superior to non-across-class advertising for producing quality enhancements and a subsequent good value perception. However, such across-class comparisons involving an existing model without a quality advantage are likely to fail, as they may invite contrast effects. In addition, the authors experimentally vary and evaluate ad copy factors such as third-party endorsements and the number of associational prompts.

Sex Differences in Attitudes Toward United Way

This study reports on sex differences in attitudes toward a particular metropolitan United Way organization found in a large sample size survey. Although previous studies with different objectives have not found major differences according to sex, several significant findings were made on variables which correlate highly with the size of the contribution. Possible explanations for the results are offered as well as a strategy to deal with the situation in future campaign group solicitation meetings.