The effectiveness of knowledge of results in a military system-training program

Abstract

An experiment to investigate the effects of knowledge of results (KR) on performance improvement of a man-machine, information-processing system. 4 13-man crews were given a pretest exercise, then 12 training exercises, then a posttest exercise in air defense operations using their own operational equipment and a simulated air environment. 2 experimental crews received KR at a postexercise debriefing; 2 control crews received no KR or debriefing. The experimental crews improved more than the control crews in all but one function, but improvement across functions was not equivalent. An inverse relationship was discovered between the operational visibility of a function and amount of improvement when postexercise KR was held constant. Visibility is discussed in its role as an information-feedback concept in system design and system training. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)