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Abstract
A part task simulator of a reactor cooling system for the measurement of human performance in the task of fault management has been developed and validated. The simulator provides an objective method of measuring the ability of an individual to detect, diagnose and correct a component fault on the basis of information displayed on a control panel.
By means of experiments with human subjects, the design of the simulator was evaluated for both internal and external validity. External validation required confirmation that the task presented by the simulator has the essential elements of the real task. Internal validation required confirmation that an individual's performance on the simulator represents an accurate and fair measure of his understanding of fundamental principles.
The requirements for external and internal validity were found to be in conflict. Performance on the simulator was not an accurate measure of fundamental understanding because the task was realistic. The results indicate that when an effective set of guidelines is made available, fundamental understanding does not improve performance in the task of fault management.
