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Automation has change the way human work and redefines the contents of job. A traditional task analysis approach usually has an observable process, emphasizes the behavior and the target performance desired. In contrast, cognitive task analysis has an unobservable process, emphasizes the inner information processing, and addresses knowledge structure base for the job. Before proceeding to perform task analysis, it is critical to make sure what the nature of task is. Many researchers consider that, with automation increasingly taking over plant tasks, cognitive operation will become the major behavior types in the operating processes. On the other hand, some scholars believe that even in highly-automatic stations the process was constrained by specific procedures no matter in routine or emergency conditions. In this study, three scenarios are selected and used to simulate and role-play by two operating crews. Empirical data was collected by four cameras and divided into skill-, rule- and knowledge-based behaviors according to time sequence classification model issued by IAEA. Time and frequency were calculated and analyzed by three different behavior types. Our research results show that rule-based behaviors were still the major type in the processes of operating, either execution time (rule-, knowledge-, skill-based: 67%, 24%, 9%) or frequency (rule-, knowledge-, skill-based: 71%, 18%, 11%). Especially to deserve to be mentioned, the knowledge-based behaviors were not the major-type behaviors in operating, but may be the key factors in determining success or failure. Our research suggests that, in addition to traditional task analysis, cognitive task analysis should be taken into consideration for a more comprehensive understanding of job design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automation has change the way human work and redefines the contents of job. A traditional task analysis approach usually has an observable process, emphasizes the behavior and the target performance desired. In contrast, cognitive task analysis has an unobservable process, emphasizes the inner information processing, and addresses knowledge structure base for the job. Before proceeding to perform task analysis, it is critical to make sure what the nature of task is. Many researchers consider that, with automation increasingly taking over plant tasks, cognitive operation will become the major behavior types in the operating processes. On the other hand, some scholars believe that even in highly-automatic stations the process was constrained by specific procedures no matter in routine or emergency conditions. In this study, three scenarios are selected and used to simulate and role-play by two operating crews. Empirical data was collected by four cameras and divided into skill-, rule- and knowledge-based behaviors according to time sequence classification model issued by IAEA. Time and frequency were calculated and analyzed by three different behavior types. Our research results show that rule-based behaviors were still the major type in the processes of operating, either execution time (rule-, knowledge-, skill-based: 67%, 24%, 9%) or frequency (rule-, knowledge-, skill-based: 71%, 18%, 11%). Especially to deserve to be mentioned, the knowledge-based behaviors were not the major-type behaviors in operating, but may be the key factors in determining success or failure. Our research suggests that, in addition to traditional task analysis, cognitive task analysis should be taken into consideration for a more comprehensive understanding of job design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]