Knowledge Revision in Multiple-Document Contexts

• In Event: Motivation and Cognition in Learning and Instruction

Abstract

Readers encounter information from multiple documents and sources that reactivates their misconceptions. To account for the revision of readers’ misconceptions in multiple-document contexts, we propose the Knowledge Revision Components Framework – Multiple Documents (KReC-MD) and empirically test its core predictions. KReC-MD hypothesizes that multiple refutation texts and high-credibility sources will foster intertextual integration and, in turn, knowledge revision outcomes. The results show that refutation texts and high-credibility sources independently increased intertextual integration. Critically, the results also show that increased intertextual integration fostered readers’ understanding of the correct information from multiple documents. Implications for KReC-MD and future work are discussed.

Authors

• Reese Butterfuss, Arizona State University

• Panayiota Kendeou, University of Minnesota