Relating Indices of Knowledge Structure Coherence and Accuracy to Skill-Based Performance: Is There Utility in Using a Combination of Indices?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Schuelke, Matthew J.; Day, Eric Anthony; McEntire, Lauren E.; Boatman, Paul R.; Boatman, Jazmine Espejo; Kowollik, Vanessa; Wang, Xiaoqian
• 署名单位: University of Oklahoma System; University of Oklahoma - Norman
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/a0015113
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 1076-1085
• 关键词: knowledge structures; mental models; skill acquisition; skill transfer; Pathfinder

摘要

The authors examined the relative criterion-related validity of knowledge structure coherence and two accuracy-based indices (closeness and correlation) as well as the utility of using a combination of knowledge structure indices in the prediction of skill acquisition and transfer. Findings from an aggregation of 5 independent samples (N = 958) whose participants underwent training on a complex computer simulation indicated that coherence and the accuracy-based indices yielded comparable zero-order predictive validities. Support for the incremental validity of using a combination of indices was mixed; the most, albeit small, gain came in pairing coherence and closeness when predicting transfer. After controlling for baseline skill, general mental ability, and declarative knowledge, only coherence explained a statistically significant amount of unique variance in transfer. Overall, the results suggested that the different indices largely overlap in their representation of knowledge organization, but that coherence better reflects adaptable aspects of knowledge organization important to skill transfer.