Eighty-six maintenance trainees in an FAA certificate program participated in two experimental studies of context-free and context-specific problem solving skills. The context-free training method included two previously reported tasks that involve the troubleshooting of graphically displayed networks. The context-specific task involved automobile and aircraft powerplants simulated on a new computer-based system called FAULT (Framework for Aiding the Understanding of Logical Troubleshooting). Results of the study indicated that it is possible to develop context-free diagnostic skills to be used in context-specific problems and that suboptimal diagnostic performance is largely due to not fully utilizing the information present in the structure of the problem.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Brooke, J. B., Duncan, K. D., and Marshall, E. C.Interactive instruction in solving fault finding problems. Intemational Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 1978, 10, 603–611.
2.
Brown, J. S., Burton, R. R., and Bell, A. G., SOPHIE: A step toward creating a reactive learning environment. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 1975. 7, 675–696.
3.
Crawford, A. M. and Crawford, K. S.Simulation of operational operational equipment with a computer-based instructional system: A low cost training technology. Human Factors, 1978, 20, 215–224.
4.
Crooks, W. H., Kuppin, M. A., and Freedy, A.Application of adaptive decision aiding systems to computerized training system (Res. Pub. PATR-1028-77-1). Arlington, VA: U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, January, 1977.
5.
Duncan, K. D. and Gray, M. J.Scoring methods for verification and diagnostic performance in industrial fault finding problems. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 1975, 48, 93–106.
6.
Finch, C. R.The effectiveness of selected self-instructional approaches in teaching diagnostic problem solving. Journal of Educational Research, 1972, 65, 219–223.
7.
Fink, C. D. and Shriver, E. L.Simulations for maintenance training: Some issues, problems and areas for future research (Res. Pub. AFHRL-TR-78-27). Lowry Air Force Base, CO: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, July. 1978.
8.
Foley, J. P. Jr., Overview of Advanced Systems Division criterion research (maintenance) (Res. Pub. AFHRL-TR-77-77). Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, 1977.
9.
Glaser, R., Damrin, D. E., and Gardner, F. M.The tab item: A technique for the measurement of proficiency in diagnostic problem solving tasks. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1954, 14, 283–293.
10.
Glass, A. A. Problem-solving techniques and troubleshooting simulators in training electronic repairmen. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Columbia University, New York, 1967.
11.
Goldbeck, R. A., Bernstein, B. B., Hillix, W. A., and Marx, M. H.Application of the Half-split technique to problem-solving tasks. Journal of Experimental Psychological, 1957, 53, 330–338.
12.
Hunt, R. M. A study of transfer of problem solving skills from context-free to context-specific fault diagnosis tasks. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 1979.
13.
Johnson, W. B. Computer simulation in fault diagnosis training: An empirical study of learning transfer from simulation to live system performance. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, September. 1980.
14.
Johnson, W. B., Rouse, S. H., and Rouse, W. B.An annotated selected bibliography on human performance in fault diagnosis tasks (TR-435). Alexandria, VA: U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, 1980.
15.
Johnson, W. B. and Rouse, W. B.Computer simulations for fault diagnosis training: From simulation to live system performance. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, 1980, 69–73.
16.
King, W.New concepts in maintenance training. Aviation Engineering and Maintenance, 1978, 6, 24–26.
17.
Landa, S.CATTS: Computer-Aided Training in Troubleshooting (Rep. No. R-518-PR). Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corporation, May, 1972.
18.
Mallory, W. J. and Elliot, T. K.Measuring troubleshooting skills using hardware-free simulation (Res. Pub. AFHRL-TR-78-47). Lowry Air Force Base. CO: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, 1978.
19.
Rasmussen, J. and Rouse, W. B. (Eds.) Human detection and diagnosis of system failures.New York: Plenum Press, in press.
20.
Rigney, J. W., Towne, D. M., King, C. A., and Moran, P. J.Field evaluation of generalized maintenance trainersimulator: I. Fleet Communications System (Rep. No. 89). Los Angeles: University of Southern California, Behavioral Technology Laboratories. 1978.
21.
Rouse, W. B.Human problem solving performance in a fault diagnosis task. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 1978, SMC-8(4), 258–271.
22.
Rouse, W. B.Problem solving perrormance of maintenance trainees in a fault diagnosis task. Human Factors, 1979, 21, 195–203. (a)
23.
Rouse, W. B.Problem solving perrormance of first semester maintenance trainees in two fault diagnosis tasks. Human Factors, 1979, 21, 611–618. (b)
24.
Sheridan, T. B.Human error in nuclear power plants. Technology Review, 1980, 82(4), 22–33.
25.
Steinemann, J. H.Comparison of performance on analogous simulated and actual troubleshooting tasks. San Diego: U.S. Naval Personnel Research Activity. Research Memo SRM 67-1, July, 1966.
26.
Stolurow, L. M., Bergum, B., Hodgson, T., and Silva, J.The efficient course or “troubleshooting” as a joint function of probability and cost. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 195515(4), 462–477.
