Metacomprehension effects situated within an anchoring and adjustment framework

Low accuracy levels are often obtained when readers are asked to predict test performance over reading materials. Three investigations further explore the information readers use to make predictions during metacomprehension. Our results show that readers’ estimates are influenced by factors such as their initial impression of the reading task, based in part on their perceptions surrounding text genre and test item type. To explain these and other published results, a new framework for investigating metacomprehension using Tversky and Kahneman’s (Science, 185:1124–1131, 1974) anchoring and adjustment heuristic as a guide is proposed. We argue that readers anchor comprehension test performance on factors such as self-perceptions of reading ability and/or perceptions of the reading task and then insufficiently adjust their predictions to reflect the demands of the specific reading task at hand such as text difficulty.     

Firm utilization of university scientific research

This study investigates the assumption that scientific research taking place in universities trickles down to industry. Publication characteristics are used to examine the collaboration and utilization behavior of scientists employed in the computer equipment and aircraft industries. The data indicate that these industries are using research generated by university scientists and that collaboration between sectors is occurring. Four sets of factors (article, firm, industry, and university characteristics) are used to explain research utilization and publication practices. Logistical regression results confirm that university/firm proximity is associated with increased collaboration and that collaborative relationships promote firm utilization of university research. These results indicate that university policymakers should consider ways to encourage collaborative relationships between sectors to promote information transfer. Further, the result linking proximity and collaboration suggests support for academic scientific activities should be encouraged at the local level.