Using a Reconstruction-Exploration Approach to Empower Cognitive Analysis Methods: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract

One problem in analyzing large-scale, distributed tactical operations is to get an overview of the operation to guide the interpretation of data collected. Cognitive analysis methods, such as the critical decision method, do generally not focus on reconstructing detailed models of the work sessions, but rather on summarizing particular incidents based on retrospective interview data and self-reports. The existing reconstruction-exploration approach involves the construction and presentation of time-synchronized, event-driven multimedia models of the course of events from distributed operations. It does not, however, provide systematic analysis methods. This paper discusses the possibilities and challenges of integrating the critical decision method and the reconstruction-exploration approach to arrive at a complementary solution.