One of These Things Is Not Like the Other: Identifying Contradictions Between Text and Graph

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Supporting Learning Through Fundamental Cognitive Processes

Abstract

We live in a world with increasing access to multiple representations in digital sources. With this access comes an increased need for competency in the critical evaluation and identification of contradictions between multiple representations. Prior work shows that contradiction detection is influenced by task and information complexity. The current study looked at undergraduates’ (N = 66) identification of contradictions between text and graph when the graph and type of contradiction were more versus less complex. Participants were given texts and graphs that were contradictory and asked to select what did not match. Results confirmed more accurate identification of a contradiction when the graph and the type of contradiction were less complex. Educational implications are discussed.

Authors

• Candice Burkett, University of Montana Western

• Susan R. Goldman, University of Illinois at Chicago