Expertise in a Computer Operating System
Conceptualization and Performance
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15215988 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephanie M Doane (University of Colorado Boulder, corresponding author), James W Pellegrino (University of California, Santa Barbara), Roberta L Klatzky (0000-0001-9701-9186, University of California, Santa Barbara) |
| Year | 1990 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 267-304 |
| Publication date | 1990-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Human-Computer Interaction (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0737-0024 • E-ISSN: 1532-7051 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/07370024.1990.9667156 |
| OpenAlex | W2036931888 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 3 |
This article describes a three-part empirical approach to understanding the development of expertise within the UNIX1 operating system. We studied UNIX users with varying levels of expertise. The first part of our research attempted to ascertain the nature of their conceptualizations of the UNIX system. The second part measured users' performance in tasks requiring them to comprehend and produce UNIX commands. The third part was a longitudinal rather than cross-sectional analysis of the emergence of expertise. The conceptualization data suggest important differences in the models of UNIX structure formed by each group. Experts best represent the higher levels of the UNIX system; novices more fully represent the lower, more concrete levels of the system, including specific commands. UNIX users also differ markedly in performance, according to their history of use with the operating system. Only experts could successfully produce composite commands that required use of the distinctive features of UNIX (e.g., pipes and other redirection symbols), even though the intermediates and novices evidenced the component knowledge required for composite commands. This finding is somewhat surprising, inasmuch as these are fundamental design features of UNIX, and these features are taught in elementary classes. These data suggest, however, that these features can be used reliably only after extensive experience. The longitudinal data suggest that most subjects increased in expertise. However, expertise can decrease as a function of time, depending on system use. Those subjects who increased in expertise acquired the ability to produce the simple commands and represent the basic modules before they acquired knowledge of complex commands and advanced utilities. The nature of expertise is considered with respect to both system design and user characteristics, including users' conceptual models of system structure
Conceptualization · Function (biology · Human–computer interaction · Operating system · Unix · Unix architecture · Computer Science · Expert finding and Q&A systems · Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods · Usability and User Interface Design · Artificial Intelligence
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The Influence of Experience and Deliberate Practice on the Development of Superior Expert Performance
La conceptualisation et la place des concepts pragmatiques dans l’activité professionnelle et le développement des compétences
The Strategic Use of Complex Computer Systems
Expert and Exceptional Performance
Introduction to This Special issue on Cognitive Architectures and Human-Computer
Social Interaction Training to Reduce Police Use of Force
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.23 |
| Citation span | 1996 - 2020 (25) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 7 |