A Worker-Centered Information System: A Laboratory Study

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effects of a microcomputer-based information system upon worker decisions and client equity. Twenty-five student social workers, randomly assigned to three experimental groups and one control group, assessed twenty-five client profiles and awarded each client a number of hours of service. Both the effects of the assessment guidelines (CAG) and the information system (PAI) were analyzed. Findings indicated that (1) the CAG did not, by itself, increase equity, (2) the PAI, when used prior to decision-making, achieved program objectives, and (3) did not lead to blind conformity to group norms, to inflated awards, or biased assessments.