How do clinical researchers generate data-driven scientific hypotheses? Cognitive events using think-aloud protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aims to identify the cognitive events related to information use (e.g., "Analyze data", "Seek connection") during hypothesis generation among clinical researchers. Specifically, we describe hypothesis generation using cognitive event counts and compare them between groups.

Methods

The participants used the same datasets, followed the same scripts, used VIADS (a visual interactive analysis tool for filtering and summarizing large data sets coded with hierarchical terminologies) or other analytical tools (as control) to analyze the datasets, and came up with hypotheses while following the think-aloud protocol. Their screen activities and audio were recorded and then transcribed and coded for cognitive events.

Results

The VIADS group exhibited the l

SUBMITTER: Jing X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10635246 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature