A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET
Abstract Background The study aims to investigate stress-inducing potentials of problem-solving activities (e.g., goal elaboration, decision making, and information seeking) within an authentic problem-solving task from the business administration domain. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2017-05-01
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| Series: | Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40461-017-0054-3 |
| _version_ | 1811228803783983104 |
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| author | Tobias Kärner |
| author_facet | Tobias Kärner |
| author_sort | Tobias Kärner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The study aims to investigate stress-inducing potentials of problem-solving activities (e.g., goal elaboration, decision making, and information seeking) within an authentic problem-solving task from the business administration domain. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate stress-reducing potentials of personal characteristics (e.g., self-efficacy beliefs, vocational experience). Methods A mixed-methods design was chosen to investigate in-depth processes during domain-specific problem solving, using a computer-based office simulation. Personal characteristics were assessed by questionnaires and tests before the task. Cardiovascular and electrodermal reactivity were measured continuously during the task. Problem-solving activities were coded on the basis of screencasts and think-aloud recordings. Changes in physiological reactivity were estimated on the basis of problem-solving activities and personal characteristics via multilevel regression analyses. Results The problem-solving task in general was associated with stress reactions. There were no significant main effects of self-efficacy beliefs, vocational experience, and general intelligence. However, changes in heart rate depended on an interaction between vocational experience and activities including goal elaboration and definition. Furthermore, problem-solving activities including decision making were significantly associated with an increase of amplitudes of detected skin conductance responses. A negative correlation found between the problem-solving score and the LF/HF ratio indicates that higher physiological arousal during the problem-solving task was accompanied by lower problem-solving performance. Conclusion It seems to be worthwhile to integrate physiological methods in domain-specific research practice to a greater extent. An essential advantage of such methods can be seen in the measurements’ relative independence from self-reported biases that seems to be especially important for high-frequency measurements within the scope of process-accompanying surveys and/or when investigating implicit aspects of action processes: from this, some new methodological perspectives for empirical research in VET could be developed. However, one has to consider that physiological measures alone are not objective or meaningful in this context, but rather have to be interpreted in their interplay with psychological parameters (e.g., experiences, behaviors) or with particular situational stimuli. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:03:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb4cadd485d948718350337efb3db7f1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1877-6345 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:03:43Z |
| publishDate | 2017-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb4cadd485d948718350337efb3db7f12022-12-22T03:37:30ZengSpringerOpenEmpirical Research in Vocational Education and Training1877-63452017-05-019113010.1186/s40461-017-0054-3A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VETTobias Kärner0University of BambergAbstract Background The study aims to investigate stress-inducing potentials of problem-solving activities (e.g., goal elaboration, decision making, and information seeking) within an authentic problem-solving task from the business administration domain. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate stress-reducing potentials of personal characteristics (e.g., self-efficacy beliefs, vocational experience). Methods A mixed-methods design was chosen to investigate in-depth processes during domain-specific problem solving, using a computer-based office simulation. Personal characteristics were assessed by questionnaires and tests before the task. Cardiovascular and electrodermal reactivity were measured continuously during the task. Problem-solving activities were coded on the basis of screencasts and think-aloud recordings. Changes in physiological reactivity were estimated on the basis of problem-solving activities and personal characteristics via multilevel regression analyses. Results The problem-solving task in general was associated with stress reactions. There were no significant main effects of self-efficacy beliefs, vocational experience, and general intelligence. However, changes in heart rate depended on an interaction between vocational experience and activities including goal elaboration and definition. Furthermore, problem-solving activities including decision making were significantly associated with an increase of amplitudes of detected skin conductance responses. A negative correlation found between the problem-solving score and the LF/HF ratio indicates that higher physiological arousal during the problem-solving task was accompanied by lower problem-solving performance. Conclusion It seems to be worthwhile to integrate physiological methods in domain-specific research practice to a greater extent. An essential advantage of such methods can be seen in the measurements’ relative independence from self-reported biases that seems to be especially important for high-frequency measurements within the scope of process-accompanying surveys and/or when investigating implicit aspects of action processes: from this, some new methodological perspectives for empirical research in VET could be developed. However, one has to consider that physiological measures alone are not objective or meaningful in this context, but rather have to be interpreted in their interplay with psychological parameters (e.g., experiences, behaviors) or with particular situational stimuli.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40461-017-0054-3Mixed-methods studyComputer-based office simulationProblem-solving activitiesVocational experiencePerceived stressSkin conductance responses |
| spellingShingle | Tobias Kärner A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training Mixed-methods study Computer-based office simulation Problem-solving activities Vocational experience Perceived stress Skin conductance responses |
| title | A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET |
| title_full | A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET |
| title_fullStr | A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET |
| title_full_unstemmed | A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET |
| title_short | A mixed-methods study of physiological reactivity to domain-specific problem solving: methodological perspectives for process-accompanying research in VET |
| title_sort | mixed methods study of physiological reactivity to domain specific problem solving methodological perspectives for process accompanying research in vet |
| topic | Mixed-methods study Computer-based office simulation Problem-solving activities Vocational experience Perceived stress Skin conductance responses |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40461-017-0054-3 |
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