Cognitive Domain KNOWLEDGE
1. 00 KNOWLEDGE Knowledge, as defined here, involves the recall of specifics and universals, the recall of methods and processes, or the recall of a pattern, structure, or setting. For measurement purposes, the recall situation involves little more than bringing to mind the appropriate material. Although some alteration of the material may be required, this is a relatively minor part of the task. The knowledge objectives emphasize most the psychological processes of remembering. The process of relating is also involved m that a knowledge test situation requires the organization and reorganization of a problem such that it will furnish the appropriate signals and cues for the information and knowledge the individual possesses. To use an analogy, if one thinks of the mind as a file, the problem in a knowledge test situation is that of finding in the problem or task the appropriate signals, cues, and clues which will most effectively bring out whatever' knowledge is filed or stored.
1.10 KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFICS The recall of specific and isolable bits of information. The emphasis is on symbols with concrete referents. This material, which is at a very low level of abstraction, may be thought of as the elements from which more complex and abstract forms of knowledge are built.
1.11 KNOWLEDGE OF TERMINOLOGY Knowledge of the referents for specific symbols (verbal and non-verbal). This may include knowledge of the most generally accepted symbol referent, knowledge of the variety of symbols which may be used for a single referent, or knowledge of the referent most appropriate to a given use of a symbol.
1.12 KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFIC FACTS Knowledge of dates, events, persons, places, etc. This may include very precise and specific information such as the specific date or exact magnitude of a phenomenon. It may also include approximate or relative information such as an approximate time period or the general order of magnitude of a phenomenon.
1. 20 KNOWLEDGE OF WAYS AND MEANS OF DEALING WITH SPECIFICS Knowledge of the ways of organizing, studying, judging, and criticizing. This includes the methods of inquiry, the chronological sequences, and the standards of judgment within a field as well as the patterns of organization through which the areas of the fields themselves are determined and internally organized. This knowledge is at an intermediate level of abstraction between specific knowledge on the one hand and knowledge of universals on the other. It does not so much demand the activity of the student in using the materials as it does a more passive awareness of their nature.
1. 21 KNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONS Knowledge of characteristic ways of treating and presenting ideas and phenomena. For purposes of communication and consistency, workers in a field employ usages, styles, practices, and forms which best suit their purposes and/or which appear to suit best the phenomena with which they deal. It should be recognized that although these forms and conventions are likely to be set up on arbitrary, accidental, or authoritative bases, they are retained because of the general agreement or concurrence of individuals concerned with the subject, phenomena, or problem.
1. 22 KNOWLEDGE OF TRENDS AND SEQUENCES Knowledge of the processes, directions, and movements of phenomena with respect to time.
1. 23 KNOWLEDGE OF CLASSIFICATIONS AND CATEGORIES Knowledge of the classes, sets, divisions, and arrangements which are regarded as fundamental for a given subject field, purpose, argument, or problem.
1. 24 KNOWLEDGE OF CRITERIA Knowledge of the criteria by which facts, principles, opinions, and conduct are tested or judged.
1. 25 KNOWLEDGE OF METHODOLOGY Knowledge of the methods of inquiry, techniques, and procedures employed in a particular subject field as well as those employed in investigating particular problems and phenomena. The emphasis here is on the individual's knowledge of the method rather than his ability to use the method.
1. 30 KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNIVERSALS AND ABSTRACTIONS IN A FIELD Knowledge of the major schemes and patterns by which phenomena and ideas are organized. These are the large structures, theories, and generalizations which dominate a subject field or which are quite generally used in studying phenomena or solving problems. These are at the highest levels of abstraction and complexity.
1.31 KNOWLEDGE OF PRINCIPLES AND GENERALIZATIONS Knowledge of particular abstractions which summarize observations of phenomena. These are the abstractions which are of value in explaining, describing, predicting, or in determining the most appropriate and relevant action or direction to be taken.
1. 32 KNOWLEDGE OF THEORIES AND STRUCTURES Knowledge of the body of principles and generalizations together with their interrelations which present a clear, rounded, and systematic view of a complex phenomenon, problem, or field. These are the most abstract formulations, and they can be used to show the interrelation and organization of a great range of specifics.
INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES AND SKILLS Abilities and skills refer to organized modes of operation and generalized techniques for dealing with materials and problems. The materials and problems may be of such a nature that little or no specialized and technical information is required. Such information as is required can be assumed to be part of the individual's general fund of knowledge. Other problems may require specialized and technical information at a rather high level such that specific knowledge and skill in dealing with the problem and the materials are required. The abilities and skills objectives emphasize the mental processes of organizing and reorganizing material to achieve a particular purpose. The materials may be given or remembered.
2.00 COMPREHENSION This represents the lowest level of understanding. It refers to a type of understanding or apprehension such that the individual knows what is being communicated and can make use of the material or idea being communicated without necessarily relating it to other material or seeing its fullest implications.
2.10 TRANSLATION Comprehension as evidenced by the care and accuracy with which the communication is paraphrased or rendered from one language or form of communication to another. Translation is judged on the basis of faithfulness and accuracy, that is, on the extent to which the material in the original communication is preserved although the form of the communication has been altered.
2.20 INTERPRETATION The explanation or summarization of a communication. Whereas translation involves an objective part-for-part rendering of a communication, interpretation involves a reordering, rearrangement, or a new view of the material.
2.30 EXTRAPOLATION The extension of trends or tendencies beyond the given data to determine implications, consequences, corollaries, effects, etc., which are in accordance with the conditions described in the original communication.
3.00 APPLICATION The use of abstractions in particular and concrete situations. The abstractions may be in the form of general ideas, rules of procedures, or generalized methods. The abstractions may also be technical principles, ideas, and theories which must be remembered and applied.
4.00 ANALYSIS The breakdown of a communication into its constituent elements or parts such that the relative hierarchy of ideas is made clear and/or the relations between the ideas expressed are made explicit. Such analyses are intended to clarify the communication, to indicate how the communication is organized, and the way in which it manages to convey its effects, as well as its basis and arrangement.
4.10 ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTS Identification of the elements included in a communication.
4.20 ANALYSES OF RELATIONSHIPS The connections and interactions between elements and parts of a communication.
4.30 ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES The organization, systematic arrangement, and structure which hold the communication together. Thisinc1udes the "explicit" as well as "implicit" structure. It includes the bases, necessary arrangement, and the mechanics which make the communication a unit.
5.00 SYNTHESIS The putting together of elements and parts so as to form a whole. This involves the process of working with pieces, parts, elements, etc., and arranging and combining them in such a way as to constitute a pattern or structure not clearly there before.
5.10 PRODUCTION OF A UNIQUE COMMUNICATION The development of a communication in which the writer or speaker attempts to convey ideas, feelings, and/or experiences to others.
5.20 PRODUCTION OF A PLAN, OR PROPOSED SET OF OPERATIONS The development of a plan of work or the proposal of a plan of operations. The plan should satisfy requirements of the task which may be given to the student or which he may develop for himself.
5.30 DERIVATION OF A SET OF ABSTRACT RELATIONS The development of a set of abstract relations either to classify or explain particular data or phenomena, or the deduction of propositions and relations from a set of basic propositions or symbolic representations.
6.00 EVALUATION Judgments about the value of material and methods for given purposes. Quantitative and qualitative judgments about the extent to which material and methods satisfy criteria. Use of a standard of appraisal. The criteria may be those determined by the student or those which are given to him.
6.10 JUDGMENTS IN TERMS OF INTERNAL EVIDENCE Evaluation of the accuracy of a communication from such evidence as logical accuracy, consistency, and other internal criteria.
6.20 JUDGMENTS IN TERMS OF EXTERNAL CRITERIA Evaluation of material with reference to selected or remembered criteria.
Permission Statement
From Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Copyright © 1956 by Allyn & Bacon. Reprinted by permission from authors and publisher. Use of this material without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.
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