Mapping Background Variables With Sequential Patterns in Problem-Solving Environments: An Investigation of United States Adults’ Employment Status in PIAAC

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Dandan Liao¹  Qiwei He¹  Hong Jiao¹ 

[1] Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, United States

关键词: process data;    problem solving;    sequential pattern;    background variables;    large-scale assessment PIAAC;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00646

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Adult assessments have evolved to keep pace with the changing nature of adult literacy and learning demands. As the importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) continues to grow, measures of ICT literacy skills, digital reading, and problem-solving in technology-rich environments (PSTRE) are increasingly important topics for exploration through computer-based assessment (CBA). This study used process data collected in log files and survey data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), with a focus on the United States sample, to (a) identify employment-related background variables that significantly related to PSTRE skills and problem-solving behaviors, and (b) extract robust sequences of actions by subgroups categorized by significant variables. We conducted this study in two phases. First, we used regression analyses to select background variables that significantly predict the general PSTRE, literacy, and numeracy skills, as well as the response time and correctness in the example item. Second, we identified typical action sequences by different subgroups using the chi-square feature selection model to explore these sequences and differentiate the subgroups. Based on the malleable factors associated with problem-solving skills, the goal of this study is to provide information for improving competences in adult education for targeted groups.

【 授权许可】

CC BY