Abstract
A model (called the rule space model) which permits measuring cognitive skill acquisition, diagnosing cognitive errors, detecting the weaknesses and strengths of knowledge possessed by individuals was introduced earlier. This study further discusses the theoretical foundation of the model by introducing “bug distribution” and hypothesis testing (Bayes' decision rules for minimum errors) for classifying subjects into their most plausible latent state of knowledge. The model is illustrated with the domain of fraction arithmetic and compared with the results obtained from a conventional artificial intelligence approach.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alvord, G., & Macready, G. B. (1985). Comparing fit of nonsubsuming probability models.Applied Psychological Measurement, 9(3), 233–240.
Birenbaum, M., & Tatsuoka, K. K. (1986).On the stability of students' rules of operation for solving arithmetic problems (Technical Report 86-ONR). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, Computer-based Education Research Laboratory.
Brown, J. S., & VanLehn, K. (1980). Repair Theory: A generative theory of bugs in procedural skills.Cognitive Science, 4(4), 379–426.
Fukunaga, K. (1972).Introduction to statistical pattern recognition. NY: Academic Press.
Goodman, L. A. (1975). A new model for scaling response patterns: An application of the quasi-independence concept.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 70, 755–768.
Klein, M., Birenbaum, M., Standiford, S., & Tatsuoka, K. K. (1981).Logical error analysis and construction of tests to diagnose student “bugs” with addition and subtraction of fractions (Technical Report 81-6). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, Computer-based Education Research Laboratory.
Lee, T. T. (1983). An algebraic theory of relational databases.The Bell System Technical Journal, 62(10), 3161–3128.
Paulson, J. A. (1985).Latent class representation of systematic patterns in test responses (ONR research report). Portland: Portland State University.
Reingold, E. M., Nievergelt, J., & Deo, N. (1979).Combinatorial algorithms, theory and practice. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Tatsuoka, K. K. (1983). Rule space: An approach for dealing with misconceptions based on item response theory.Journal of Educational Measurement, 20(4), 345–354.
Tatsuoka, K. K. (Ed.). (1984a).Analysis of errors in fraction addition and subtraction problems (Final Report for Grant No. NIE-G-81-0002). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, Computer-based Education Research Laboratory.
Tatsuoka, K. K. (1984b). Caution indices based on item response theory.Psychometrika, 9, 95–110.
Tatsuoka, K. K. (1985). A probabilistic model for diagnosing misconceptions by the pattern classification approach.Journal of Educational Statistics, 10(1), 55–73.
Tatsuoka, M. M. (1971).Multivariate analysis: Techniques for educational and psychological research. NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Tatsuoka, K. K., & Baillie, R. (1982).Rule space, the product space of two score components in signed-number subtraction: An approach to dealing with inconsistent use of erroneous rules (Technical Report 82-3-ONR). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, Computer-based Education Research Laboratory.
Tatsuoka, K. K., & Linn, R. L. (1983). Indices for detecting unusual response patterns: Links between two general approaches and potential applications.Applied Psychological Measurement, 7(1), 81–96.
Tatsuoka, K. K., & Tatsuoka, M. M. (1982). Detection of aberrant response patterns.Journal of Educational Statistics, 7(3), 215–231.
Tatsuoka, K. K., & Tatsuoka, M. M. (1983). Spotting erroneous rules of operation by the individual consistency index.Journal of Educational Measurement, 20(3), 221–230.
Tatsuoka, M. M., & Tatsuoka, K. K. (1986). Rule space. In Kotz & Johnson (Eds.),Encyclopedia of Statistical Science. New York: Wiley.
VanLehn, K. (1983).Felicity conditions for human skill acquisition: Validating an AI-based theory (Technical Report CIS-21). Palo Alto: Xerox Palto Alto Research Centers.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors would like to acknowledge Mr. Robert Baillie for developing several computer programs used for this research.
This research was sponsored by the Personnel and Training Research Program, Psychological Sciences Division, Office of Naval Research.
Some of the analyses presented in this report were performed on the PLATO® system. The PLATO® system is a development of the University of Illinois and PLATO® is a service mark of the Control Data Corporation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tatsuoka, K.K., Tatsuoka, M.M. Bug distribution and statistical pattern classification. Psychometrika 52, 193–206 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02294234
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02294234