Assessing knowledge structures: Relations with experience and posttraining performance

This research focuses on the construct validity of two methodologies for assessing cognitive organization or "knowledge structures." Validity evidence is evaluated by considering the complex interrelations among experience, knowledge structures, and training outcomes. These relations are explored in the context: of a laboratory-based, computer-related training initiative. In this article, results are presented that suggest that certain types of prior experience and some indicators of knowledge structures have significant relations with posttraining performance. However, the validity evidence gathered in this study does not support the notion that the two knowledge structure assessment methods used are capturing equivalent aspects of knowledge. Moreover, context effects are indicated such that the relations among knowledge structures, experience, and training outcomes vary as a function of the set of concepts used in structural assessment. General implications for research can training, knowledge acquisition, and performance are considered.