Trace Analysis and Spatial Reasoning: An Example of Intensive Cognitive Diagnosis and Its Implications for Testing.
Abstract
Recent theoretical developments in cognitive psychology imply both a need and possibility for methodological development. In particular, the theory of problem solving proposed by Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon provides a rationale for a new empirical method that here will be called trace analysis. A detailed example is presented in which trace analysis is applied to human performance on a spatial reasoning task. The relations between trace analysis, on the one hand, and the psychometric ideas of measurement and standardization, on the other are discussed. A non-psychometric approach to standardized testing, called theory referenced test construction, is proposed. The main idea of theory referenced test construction is that test items should be validated against computer implemented information processing models for the relevant cognitive functions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA194890
Entities
People
- Stellan Ohlsson
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh