Relating indices of knowledge structure coherence and accuracy to skill-based performance: Is there utility in using a combination of indices?

Full Abstract

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.

Author information

Author/s: Schuelke, Matthew J (MJ); Day, Eric Anthony (EA); McEntire, Lauren E (LE); Boatman, Jazmine Espejo (JE); Wang, Xiaoqian (X); Kowollik, Vanessa (V); Boatman, Paul R (PR);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, OK 73019-2007, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of applied psychology (J Appl Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 94 (issue 4) : pp 1076-85

Dates: Created 2009/07/14; Completed 2009/08/14;

PMID: 19594246, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

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