The Role of Prior Knowledge in Operating Equipment from Written Instructions.
Abstract
This report summarizes a set of results on the role of prior knowledge in how people operate electronic equipment from written instructions. These results cover two situations: In the first, the prior knowledge is possessed by subjects prior to the experiment. These studies involved comprehension and memory of technical text, expertise in descriptions of familiar and unfamiliar pieces of equipment, and expertise effects in following instructions that differ in organization. In the second situation, the prior knowledge was provided as a part of the training involved in the experiments. These studies concerned the role of knowledge of how a system works, and transfer procedures. Simulation models were constructed and compared in detail to the data, yielding significant theoretical conclusions about the mechanisms involved in the effective use of prior knowledge. The work has considerable practical significance for equipment training and maintenance. Keywords include: Instructions, and Comprehension.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA151007
Entities
People
- D. E. Kieras
Organizations
- University of Michigan