Inferential Reasoning Driving Clinical Diagnosis: Suggestions for New Assessment Approaches

Abstract

Experimental research investigating the processes or influencing factors of diagnostic reasoning or diagnostic success is predominantly conducted with case descriptions spanning no more than one A4 page. In this paper, we argue for a more authentic task setting in the form of multiple documents case descriptions, and make suggestions how to design them to suit different research questions. We further review methods used in previous studies, such as think-aloud protocols and written justifications of diagnoses, and discuss how they can be used in order to assess the cognitive processes underlying diagnostic reasoning in more detail. Additionally, based on findings from the field of multiple documents comprehension, we outline how participants' gaze behavior on and their interaction with the documents might also be used to assess processes of information comparison and corroboration during reading as part of participants' diagnostic reasoning process.