Knowledge maps as summarization tools: the role of relationship format and processing activity

Abstract

This study examined the effects of various types of relationship processing activities that were embedded within a knowledge map format. Three questions were addressed: (a) Does the presence vs. absence of relationships affect processing?, (b) Does the format of relationship designation affect processing?, and (c) What is the role of verbal ability with respect to the processing of relationships? Participants studied a text passage and then were assigned to one of four treatment conditions: read/links, read/lines, generate/links, and generate/lines. Comprehension of the material was assessed by free recall, fill-in-the-node, and true/false test performance. Results of a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed: (a) a main effect for read over generate, (b) a main effect for lines over links, and (c) a main effect for high verbal ability over low verbal ability. Methodological, practical and theoretical implications are discussed.