Which appraisal method measures how often an employee displays certain behaviors?

The appraisal method that measures how often an employee displays certain behaviors is the behavior observation scales (BOS). This method focuses on assessing specific behaviors that are necessary for effective job performance. It involves identifying key behaviors related to an employee's role and then evaluating how frequently those behaviors occur within a set period.

Behavior observation scales provide a structured approach to performance evaluation by using a numerical scale to quantify the frequency of observed behaviors. This allows managers to base their assessments on observable actions rather than subjective impressions, thereby promoting objectivity in performance appraisals.

Other appraisal methods do not concentrate specifically on the frequency of behaviors. For instance, management by objectives (MBO) is centered around setting specific goals for employees and assessing performance based on goal attainment rather than behavioral frequency. The balanced scorecard (BSC) incorporates various performance indicators, including financial and operational metrics, to give a holistic view of performance but does not specifically focus on behaviors over time. Similarly, critical incident methods gather specific examples of effective or ineffective performance, which may detail behaviors but do not quantify their frequency.

Thus, the behavior observation scales (BOS) stand out as the method designed explicitly to evaluate how often employees exhibit certain behaviors in their roles.