ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the strengths and limitations of various approaches in cognitive load measurement by examining the roles and functions of different measures and the applicable constructs they measure. It argues that different types of cognitive load measurement may measure specific types of constructs of cognitive load and that there exists a relationship between the types of cognitive load measurement and the constructs they measure. Cognitive load can be generally divided into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive load. They include analytical, rating scale, task-and-performance based, and psych-physiological measures. Analytical method is useful when determining priori intrinsic cognitive load, whereas subject rating scales can be effective tools to assess post-hoc cognitive load. The subjective rating scale widely used instrument in cognitive load measurement. The dual-task measurement has been used in various situations to measure cognitive load. Due to their continuous nature in measurement, psycho-physiological measures can be used to measure temporal aspects of cognitive load.