Cited by 9Visual and Cognitive Learning ProcessesInnovative Teaching MethodsEngineering Education and Curriculum Development

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 6 of the 6 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 23 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Assertion-Evidence Slides Appear to Lead to Better Comprehension and Recall of More Complex Concepts

Open access
Garner, Joanna, Alley, Michael, Wolfe, Keri, Zappe, Sarah, Sawarynski, Lauren·2020·2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Abstract

is Director of Assessment and Instructional Support in the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State.She holds a masters and a doctorate in educational psychology, where she specialized in applied testing and measurement.Her current research interests include the use of qualitative information, such as think-alouds, to enhance validity evidence for a test.She is also interested in developing instruments to measure engineering professional skills such as global awareness, communication, and leadership.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In an experiment with undergraduate engineering students viewing the same narrated MRI presentation, assertion-evidence slides led to better comprehension and recall of complex concepts than topic-subtopic slides, while recall of primary facts was equal. Topic-subtopic slides improved immediate recall only for secondary statistics that appeared on those slides but not on the assertion-evidence slides.

Key findings

  • For complex concepts on the delayed multiple-choice test (questions 2–4), the assertion-evidence group scored significantly higher (mean = 2.17, SD = 0.81) than the topic-subtopic group (mean = 1.84, SD = 0.84), t(104) = −2.11, p = 0.038.
  • On the immediate essay test, the combined score for five complex-concept questions (maximum 14) was higher for assertion-evidence (7.22, SD = 3.17) than topic-subtopic (6.21, SD = 3.18), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.098).
  • Recall of primary statistics written on both slide types did not differ significantly: immediate recall was 87% for both groups, and delayed recall was 79% for topic-subtopic versus 82% for assertion-evidence.
  • For secondary statistics written only on the topic-subtopic slides, the topic-subtopic group recalled more immediately (69%) than the assertion-evidence group (39%), F(1,105) = 28.29, p < 0.000.

Methods

  • Randomized experiment with 111 undergraduate engineering students in a required speech course: 55 viewed topic-subtopic slides and 56 viewed assertion-evidence slides while listening to the same recorded 6 m 17 s narrated presentation on how MRI detects cancerous tumors.
  • The topic-subtopic set had 11 slides, 334 total words, 30.4 average words per slide, 54.5% of slides with relevant graphics, and 0 animations; the assertion-evidence set had 10 slides, 193 total words, 19.3 average words per slide, 100% of slides with relevant graphics, and 9 animations. Both used the same 1003-word spoken script.
  • Immediate posttest included Likert items, four fill-in-the-blank statistics questions, and six short essay questions (five on the MRI process); an unannounced multiple-choice test followed one week later. Responses were scored with randomized group assignment, 25% double-scored for rubric refinement and inter-rater agreement, using t-tests for multiple-choice and ANOVA for essay questions.

Limitations

  • Stated by the authors: the script and graphics were developed through an assertion-evidence process, so a typical topic-subtopic presenter might not have created an equally focused script or effective graphics; the immediate posttest placed many essay questions last, risking fatigue; the delayed posttest did not test secondary-statistics recall; all statistics occurred at the beginning of the presentation; and the topic-subtopic slides lacked animations.
  • Stated by the authors: follow-up testing is needed with other types of processes and concepts, fewer essay questions, primary and secondary details placed in different parts of the script, and animations added to topic-subtopic slides for equivalence.
  • Evident from the text: the study used a single presentation topic (MRI and breast cancer) and a sample of undergraduate engineering students in one required speech course, which limits generalizability beyond this context.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.18260/1-2--17510

Cites

6 of 6 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Verification

Claims the paper makes

17 Sources not found · 10 Own method · 10 Own result · 7 Own interpretation · 1 No basis given

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 13
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 23
28 of 28
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The words spoken are the dominant means by which learning occurs.

    “The main reason that no differences will exist between the audience groups viewing the two different slide structures is that the words spoken are the dominant means by which learning occurs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In a typical topic-subtopic presentation, relevant images do not occur on at least 40 percent of slides.

    “In an assertion-evidence presentation, relevant images (photographs, drawings, diagrams, graphs, or films) occur on each slide, while in a typical topic-subtopic presentation, relevant images do not occur on at least 40 percent of slides.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Unrelated details on visual aids reduce learning.

    “That focus is important because according to the multimedia principle of coherence, unrelated details on visual aids reduce learning.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The animations on nine of the ten assertion-evidence slides did not cause the observed comprehension advantage.

    “Not reflected in this collection is that some of the slides included simple animations which took the form of presentation of additional details of graphics on nine of the ten slides (the animations followed the choice of”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The derivation of the script from an assertion-evidence process did not bias the script in favor of the assertion-evidence condition.

    “This derivation of a script from an assertion-evidence process is important, because it raises the question whether a typical presenter using a topicsubtopic approach would have created a script this focused.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The derivation of topic-subtopic graphics from assertion-evidence graphics did not bias the topic-subtopic condition.

    “Also, the graphics for the topic-subtopic slides were derived from the graphics created for the assertionevidence slides, which raises the question whether a typical presenter using a topicsubtopic approach would have created graphics that were as effective.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The MRI process was new to the participants.

    “The focus on cancer with the MRI topic allowed the topic to meet the second criterion, because cancer is such a common and deadly disease.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The difference in animations between the assertion-evidence and topic-subtopic slide sets did not account for the observed differences in comprehension.

    “Number of slides with animations | 0 | 9”
    “Finally, the paper recommends including animations on the topic-subtopic slides to ensure equivalence between the conditions.”
8 of 8

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentt(104) = -2.11reported p = .038 · recomputed p = .037

    “t (104) =-2.11, p = .038”

  • ConsistentF(1, 105) = 28.29reported p < 0 · recomputed p < .001

    “F (1,105) =28.29, p < .000”

    The paper rounds a very small p to zero

2 of 2

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Show all 4 references

Research works printed but not linked: 20

  1. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  2. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  3. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  4. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  5. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  6. Win Aung (2010, February 1). International research and education in engineering (IREE). http://www.vtecc.eng.vt.edu/2010_NSF_Awardees/IREE_NSF2010.pdf. Reston, VA: NSF Engineering Awardees Conference.
  7. Lee Gomes (2007, June 20). PowerPoint turns 20, as its creators ponder a dark side to success. online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118228116940840904.html. The Wall Street Journal. B-1.
  8. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  9. Michael Alley (2003). The Craft of Scientific Presentations. New York: Springer-Verlag, pp. 127-129. Page 22.229.22
  10. Michael Alley, Madeline Schreiber, Katrina Ramsdell & John Muffo (2006). How the design of headlines in presentation slides affects audience retention. Technical Communication, 53 (2), 225-234.
  11. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli, and Sarah Zappe. 2009. Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  12. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  13. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  14. Michael Alley & Kathryn A. Neeley (2005). Rethinking the design of presentation slides: A case for sentence headlines and visual evidence. Technical Communication, 52 (4 ), 417-426.
  15. Michael Alley (2003). The Craft of Scientific Presentations. New York: Springer-Verlag, p. 116.
  16. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  17. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  18. Michael Alley, Are Magnus Bruaset, Marianne Sundet, Melissa Marshall & Sarah Zappe (2009). Development of a national course to teach Norwegian Ph.D. students how to communicate research. Proceedings of the 2009 ASEE national conference. Austin, Texas: ASEE.
  19. Joanna Garner, Michael Alley, Allen Gaudelli & Sarah Zappe (2009). Common Use of PowerPoint versus Assertion-Evidence Slide Structure: a Cognitive Psychology Perspective. Technical Communication, 56 (4), 331-345.
  20. Michael Alley, Are Magnus Bruaset, Marianne Sundet, Melissa Marshall & Sarah Zappe (2009). Development of a national course to teach Norwegian Ph.D. students how to communicate research. Proceedings of the 2009 ASEE national conference. Austin, Texas: ASEE.

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Metadata

Authors
Garner, J., Alley, M., Wolfe, K., Zappe, S., & Sawarynski, L.
Affiliations
  • Old Dominion University (US)
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
Venue
2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings
Published
2020-09-04
OpenAlex
W2397748068
Cited by
9
References
4
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2
FWCI
1.78
Type
conference paper
Language
en
Open access
Locations
ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
  • Social Sciences › Education › Innovative Teaching Methods
  • Social Sciences › Education › Engineering Education and Curriculum Development
Keywords
comprehension, memory retrieval, complex concepts, instructional design

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