Research and Cotan registration: why Profile Dynamics is now setting the scientific standard in driver analysis
Why do people do what they do? And how do you get employees involved in changes? These are questions that concern directors, managers and HR departments. There are many providers who claim to have an answer to this, but what exactly do these analyses measure and are they reliable? To test this, we have done extensive research with the University of Groningen into the validity of our instrument and it has been registered with the COTAN since February.
We are proud of the result: the University of Groningen study convincingly shows that seven independent drivers are measured, the measurement is reliable and stable over time and that the results are not influenced by age, gender, educational level or migration background. The COTAN rated positively about the reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaire.
What does that mean exactly?
A Cotan assessment is not a formality. It is the independent institute that assesses whether a psychological measuring instrument is reliable and valid. In other words: does the instrument measure what it promises to measure, are the results predictive and what is their practical value? It takes years of research, which is laid down in an extensive research manual that is submitted to the COTAN in accordance with a meticulous protocol.
Six years of research, nearly 1700 participants
The validation study with the University of Groningen took place between 2017 and 2023 and involved 1688 people in five research groups. The COTAN assessed the reliability, the quality of the manual and test material, the test structure and the standards as satisfactory - good and recommended additional research in terms of comprehension and criterion validity.
Why this is so important
Organizations invest a lot in development, culture and change. But who knows if that investment will pay off if the instrument you use has not been scientifically tested? How solid are the results and what do they mean. Measuring is knowing and, based on this research, we have taken an important first step towards new discoveries in the field of people and work.
What makes us unique?
Many popular instruments are based on Jung, about which there is much debate in the scientific literature as being unfounded. Other Graves instruments have also not been independently tested before. Profile Dynamics is the first driver analysis that is both practically applicable and scientifically tested.
Looking ahead
Profile Dynamics doesn't stop here. A PhD researcher is now strengthening the team to do follow-up research. New studies should further substantiate conceptual and criterion validity by 2025. Our goal: to support organizations even better with guidelines for the effective use of motives in people- and work-related issues, so that we can provide organizations with increasingly evidence-based advice in the future.
Lock
With these studies and registration, we are setting a new standard in the market. For consultants, HR professionals and organizations, this means one thing: you finally have a driving tool that is not only practical, but also clear what to use because it is scientifically based.
Read here more about the research
%20(3).png)
%20(4).png)
%20(2).png)