Measuring the structure of expertise

Abstract

This report reviews work on defining and measuring conceptual structures of expert and novice fighter pilots. Individuals with widely varying expertise were tested. Cognitive structures were derived using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and link-weighted networks (Pathfinder). Experience differences among pilots were reflected in the conceptual structures. Detailed analyses of individual differences point to factors that distinguish experts and novices. Analysis of individual concepts identified areas of agreement and disagreement in the knowledge structures of experts and novices. Applications in selection, training and knowledge engineering are discussed. © 1985, Academic Press Inc. (London) Limited.. All rights reserved.