Empirical guidance for developing task analyses: Do the task steps present a logical sequence?

Abstract

The current study discusses empirical guidance for developing task analyses focusing on whether steps of a particular task analysis may be considered part of a logical sequence. We utilized the task analysis steps presented by McConomy et al. (2022) as a framework for the current study. We examined and suggested how autocorrelation values may be used to help determine whether a logical sequence of steps has been developed in relation to task performance. We found that the stronger and more positive the autocorrelation, the more likely the logical sequencing of measurable steps. The weaker and less positive (i.e., more negative) the autocorrelation, then the steps would appear to be less likely to be entirely logically sequenced either by order of steps, omission of steps (therefore not a logical sequence), the understanding of steps by their content (therefore not a logical sequence to the individual), or some combination thereof for the individual.