Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

Exploring the Unknown 153
days. He developed early scoring techniques based on physiological response.
Modifications of his techniques were employed in the Mercury Candidate
Evaluation Program.
Captain W.S. Augerson, USA, MC, was immensely valuable in the development
of the final test profile. He assisted in a review of literature, experienced
the actual tests, and offered valuable opinions on areas where improvement was
indicated.
Two assistant investigators during the period of 1957 to 1958 were
Gardner Edwards, M, D. (then a University of Virginia medical student on a
USAF-sponsored scholarship), and Robert McAdam, associate professor of physical
education, Northern Illinois University.
[2]
APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF CANDIDATE EVALUATION
The ultimate purpose of any crew recommendation development program
is to devise and validate tests which can be used with reliability in selecting
crew members for future projects. The Project Mercury Candidate Evaluation
Program was an important stage in this ARDC development program. Since the
actual approach to this research problem departs from the ideal approach, it will
help to present both the ideal and actual methods of attack.
Ideal Approach to Problem:
1 . The candidates must be medically acceptable and technically capable
before they will he considered as potential candidates.
2. Those who are tested must be the actual project candidates. A large
candidate population will increase the reliability of the results.
3. The test profile must simulate all aspects of the stresses anticipated
during the actual project. The simulated stresses must be combined in the same
relationship and intensity as they would occur during the project.
4. A battery of nonsimulating but relevant tests must be included in
the testing program. These tests will be used to identify significant correlations
between the response to simulating and nonsimulating tests. The ultimate goal is
to replace simulating tests with the more easily administered, nonsimulating tests
in future programs
5. In the final recommendation of candidates, the investigators must only
interpret subject performance on the simulating tests. Nonsimulating test performance
will not affect recommendation of this first group of candidates.
6. All candidates, both recommended and not recommended, must enter
the project.