Assessment of Expert Performance Compared Across Professional Domains

Publication date: June 2018Source: Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, Volume 7, Issue 2Author(s): Rick P. Thomas, Ashley LawrenceIn this paper, we review several task characteristics to explain why experts across domains differ in their level of skill (expertise). Domains may have low levels of professional competency because of difficulty measuring relevant outcomes, impoverished performance feedback, and lack of accurate assessment tools or decision aids. Acknowledging that domains differ furthers research on expertise because it elucidates some common controversies. For example, the role of nurture (job-relevant experience) versus nature (talent or pre-existing abilities) in skilled performance, and the problem that expert-level knowledge and fast decision-making do not always translate into superior performance across domains—the process–performance paradox. Moreover, recommendations for improving domain competence must take into account the underlying differences among domains to provide recommendations appropriate for the current level of competency exhibited by the professionals in the domain.
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research