Cognitive Integration: Exploring Performance Differences Across Varying Contexts

Understanding the evolving, complex events on a battlefield requires a decision maker to integrate data from disparate sources. The study described herein extends previous work on cognitive integration. Twenty-one former Army battalion commanders participated in a simulation of an offensive military operation. In addition, twelve Army officers who serve as observers/controllers of units training for stability and support operations (SASO) were interviewed. The results of these studies, when compared to earlier studies strongly suggest that military decision makers seek out and integrate data based on context. Implications for design of decision support systems are also discussed.