Skill acquisition in skin cancer detection dataset
Document Type
Dataset
Publisher
Edith Cowan University Research Online
Faculty
Faculty of Computing Health and Science
School or Research Centre
School of Psychology and Social Science
Description
The dataset supports a research project into using a different approach to improving skill acquisition in skin cancer detection. 100 student recruits were tested to investigate the effect of practice in self examination at distinguishing between dangerous and nondangerous skin lesions. Around 30 minutes of such practice, viewing 360 computer screen pictures of skin lesions, provided a significant advantage in making decisions about a target set of dangerous and nondangerous lesions, compared to no practice or practice with a filler task. Viewing a skin cancer pamphlet for 5 min. at the beginning of the experiment made no difference to the speed or accuracy of decisions regarding the test lesions. The dataset consist of pre and post test participant data from three different groups of volunteer students at Edith Cowan University. The data was collected between April and September 2004 and was processed and analysed using SPSS.
Additional Information
Existing pamphlets from the Cancer Council Australia were accessed. Other data was collected by three honours students: Katie Martin, Steven Flower and Terry Simpson on behalf of Dr Craig Speelman.
Research Activity Title
Skill acquisition in skin cancer detection
Research Activity Description
Previous research in skin cancer education has shown that the ability to detect potentially dangerous skin lesions is not improved by viewing a pamphlet describing the characteristic features of such lesions. In this study a different approach to improving this skill was investigated. 100 student recruits were tested to investigate the effect of practice at distinguishing between dangerous and nondangerous skin lesions. Around 30 minutes of such practice, viewing 360 pictures of skin lesions, provided a significant advantage in making decisions about a target set of dangerous and nondangerous lesions, compared to no practice or practice with a filler task. Viewing a skin cancer pamphlet for 5 minutes at the beginning of the experiment made no difference to the speed or accuracy of decisions regarding the test lesions. The results are interpreted as evidence for a form of implicit learning of a skin cancer detection skill, a finding that is consistent with what is known of the nature of expertise in dermatologists. The results also point to the ineffectiveness of pamphlets to engender such expertise in the general public.
Start of data collection time period
1-4-2004
End of data collection time period
3-8-2004
Language
eng
Access Rights
metadata only record
Contact
Edith Cowan University owns the rights to this collection.
Contact Professor Craig Speelman to determine access conditions.
Craig Speelman: c.speelman@ecu.edu.auCitation
Speelman, C. (2014). Skill acquisition in skin cancer detection dataset. Edith Cowan University Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/datasets/12