The Formation and Use of Knowledge Structures in Problem Solving Domains

The goal of this research was to develop and test a method for eliciting knowledge structures used in problem solving. The work was carried out simultaneously in two domains, engineering mechanics and video recording. Two studies resulted in the adaptation of a question probe method for eliciting relevant knowledge structures prior to problem solving. Two additional studies showed that administration of the question probes did not significantly impact subsequent problem solving. Answers from the question probes were therefore translated into a conceptual structure for each subject. A simple associative search model operating upon these structures was able to predict 87% and 93% of individual problem solving activities in the engineering and video recording domains, respectively. The predictive capability of the graphs indicate the central role of knowledge structures capability of the graphs indicate the central role of knowledge structures in problem solving processes, at least under circumstances such as those tested. A fifth study evaluated the validity of the conceptual graphs by comparing them with free recall protocols. (KR)