Question-driven Explanatory Reasoning about Devices that Malfunction
Arthur C. Graesser · 2000
The process of personnel selection and assignment involves appropriate matches between the abilities of personnel and the jobs assigned to them. For some jobs, personnel need to be selected and trained on the basis of how well they can operate, repair, and maintain particular devices. We have recently discovered two quick and valid methods of determining whether a person has a deep understanding of a mechanical or electronic device. One method involves question asking, the other eye movements. Regarding question asking, we present a breakdown scenario (e.g., the key turns but the bolt doesnt move, in the context of a cylinder lock) and observe the quality of the questions that participants ask about causes of the malfunction. Regarding eye tracking, we present the breakdown and observe whether deep comprehenders were more likely to fixate on likely damaged components that explain the breakdown. This research tested a cognitive model of question asking (called PREG).