Cognitive process strategies and performance on a contour map memory test

The purpose of this study was to determine which cognitive process strategies used by participants were predictors of success on a Contour Map Memory Test (CMMT). The CMMT recorded the time required for participants to match a contour map with the correct three-dimensional representation, either under conditions that required memorization (Memory) or those that did not (No-Memory).; Prior to instruction 140 participants were given a spatial visualization test and a test of prior contour map knowledge. After two lessons on contour map interpretation, participants were given the CMMT. Participants were found to engage in a wide range of strategies, but only two strategies (Shape strategy and Coordinate strategy) proved useful for the task.; Male participants performed significantly better than female participants on the CMMT. Male participants also had significantly higher Prior Knowledge scores and Spatial Visualization scores prior to instruction, and prior to taking the CMMT. On questions requiring the use of memory, male participants used a Coordinate strategy to establish spatial locations of features. The strategies of female participants under the Memory condition proved ineffective. The explanation for the effective use of a Coordinate Strategy by males but not by females on memory questions is the time factor needed to invoke this strategy. The Coordinate strategy takes time to implement and since the contour map was available for only 5 seconds, female participants lacked the skills to apply that strategy effectively within the given time constraint. In contrast, higher initial levels of prior knowledge and spatial visualization skills enabled males to successfully invoke the Coordinate strategy within the given time constraints.; When the contour map remained on the screen in the No-Memory condition, females used the Coordinate strategy; this implies that the female participants lacked the time to effectively apply this strategy under the Memory condition. Male participants switched to a Shape strategy during the No-Memory condition.; The current study demonstrates that Coordinate strategy and Shape strategy are useful strategies when analyzing contour maps. However, more research needs to be done to determine if teaching students to engage in these strategies will actually improve their map abilities.