The joint contribution of participation and performance to learning functions: Exploring the effects of age in large-scale data sets

Mark Steyvers, Aaron S. Benjamin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Large-scale data sets from online training and game platforms offer the opportunity for more extensive and more precise investigations of human learning than is typically achievable in the laboratory. However, because people make their own choices about participation, any investigation into learning using these data sets must simultaneously model performance–that is, the learning function–and participation. Using a data set of 54 million gameplays from the online brain training site Lumosity, we show that learning functions of participants are systematically biased by participation policies that vary with age. Older adults who are poorer performers are more likely to drop out than older adults who perform well. Younger adults show no such effect. Using this knowledge, we can extrapolate group learning functions that correct for these age-related differences in dropout.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1531-1543
Number of pages13
JournalBehavior Research Methods
Volume51
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2019

Keywords

  • Bayesian modeling
  • Dropout
  • Large-scale data sets
  • Learning functions
  • Missing data
  • Naturalistic environments
  • Skill acquisition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Psychology (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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