Specifying relations between research and the practice of solving applied problems: An illustration from the planning and control of multiple-task work in medical reception

Although the application of cognitive psychology to solving applied problems has undoubtedly grown since its inception, some observers have found its progress disappointing. It is argued here that a failure to validate the application of cognitive psychology to applied problems has contributed to this disappointing progress and, further, that the less well specified relations between research and the practice of solving applied problems, compared with those of cognitive psychology, have contributed to this failure. The present chapter proposes better-specified relations between research including validation, and the practice of solving applied problems to support better progress. The proposed relations are illustrated by a model of the planning and control of multiple-task work in medical reception. An observational study collected data concerning medical reception, its domain of work, and its performance. Together with a conception for human-machine interaction and a framework for the planning and control of multiple-task work, the data were used to construct the model of medical reception. The model is used to illustrate the proposed better-specified relations, including validation by the solution of a hypothetical design problem. Finally, it is suggested that such research and practices of design might be more clearly designated as "cognitive engineering," in contrast to cognitive psychology as a science.