Task sequencing does not systematically affect the factor structure of cognitive abilities.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Latent variable analyses are crucial for testing theories on the structure of human cognition.
• Model fit is assessed by comparing models to observed variance-covariance structures.
• The impact of task sequencing on these analyses is often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically investigate whether task sequencing systematically affects the observed factor structure in cognitive ability assessments.
• To test hypotheses regarding the influence of construct-grouped versus interleaved task sequences on factor loadings and interfactor correlations.

Main Methods:

• A large sample (N = 587) completed 12 cognitive tasks measuring working memory, long-term memory, attention control, and fluid intelligence.
• Participants were randomly assigned to one of three task sequence conditions: construct-grouped, interleaved, or random.
• Latent variable analyses were used to compare measurement models across the different sequencing conditions.

Main Results:

• Neither hypothesis was supported: grouping tasks by construct did not systematically increase factor loadings or decrease interfactor correlations.
• Measurement models demonstrated substantial invariance across the three task sequencing conditions.
• The observed factor structure remained largely consistent regardless of task order.

Conclusions:

• Latent variable analyses of cognitive abilities appear robust to variations in task sequencing.
• Subtle methodological differences, such as the order of task administration, may not significantly alter findings in the structure of human cognition.
• Researchers can be confident in the stability of latent structure findings despite potential sequencing effects.