VOTAT in Action

Abstract: In our study, we integrated the vary-one-thing-at-a-time (VOTAT) strategy within epistemic activities in knowledge-lean problem-solving. VOTAT, altering a single variable while keeping others constant, was examined through a dual approach: an empirical analysis with MicroDYN tasks and a theoretical discussion. Empirically, we identified differences among participants who fully engaged in the VOTAT loop, those with incomplete loops, and nonusers. These distinctions were evident in their problem-solving approaches, hypothesis formulation, and decision-making efficiency. Theoretically, we contextualized VOTAT's role within epistemic activities, extending its application beyond the specific tasks in our study. Our findings reveal that VOTAT's use markedly impacts problem-solving processes, demonstrating varied cognitive strategies among different participant groups. This has implications for understanding problem-solving cognition and designing tasks that better capture the nuances of epistemic activities.