Effects of computer aiding and pre-training on fault location

Abstract

The effects were studied of two types of training of fault-location performance in networks of interconnected logic units. The types of training were (i) computer aiding which provided information about the efficiency of tests and diagnoses not warranted by available indications, and (ii) pre-training in strategies appropriate to different network configurations. Efficiency of testing was more easily improved than errors of diagnosis, especially by a combination of both pre-training and computer aiding. Improvements in diagnostic quality can apparently be achieved, although the effects of pre-training alone may be short lived. It seems that computer aiding is most effective when the subject has first obtained some understanding of the problem, and is thus in a better position to make use of the information about the quality of his problem solving.