The impact of inducing troubleshooting strategies via visual aids on performance in a computerized digital network task

Abstract

Troubleshooting is a particular problem-solving process comprising error detection, fault diagnosis, and system restoration. Since automation of systems has become increasingly complex and ubiquitous, troubleshooting skills are crucial to maintain safety and security in a variety of contexts. The planned study aims at examining troubleshooting strategies and how to induce them by means of simple visual aids and concise instructions. To this end, a computerized task consisting of network troubleshooting problems will be employed in an experimental study with repeated measures. Indicators of strategy use and performance will be tested for their relation to availability and differential use of visual aids, to cognitive styles that affect how individuals deal with challenges or system information, and to cognitive processes that are involved in metacognition and executive function. The planned research is expected to help gain insights into the cognitive determinants of troubleshooting, reverse engineering, and their links to computational thinking.