Measuring Cross-Disciplinary Integrative Thinking: The Development and Validation of the Assessment of Integrative Design Cognition (AIDC)

Abstract

In an era defined by complex, multifaceted challenges, the ability to integrate knowledge across diverse domains such as design, technology, engineering, business, and culture is paramount for innovation.This capacity, termed integrative thinking, is widely recognized as a critical driver of success in tackling wicked problems, yet a scientifically validated instrument for its assessment remains elusive. To address this gap, we report the development and validation of the Assessment of Integrative Design Cognition (AIDC),a novel computer-based instrument. The AIDC conceptualizes integrative design cognition across four dimensions: Systemic Mapping, Multidimensional Value Assessment, Trade-off and Decision-Making, and Analogical Innovation. Expert review, human-computer interaction review, cognitive interviews, and a pilot study with 523 undergraduate students supported the instrument’s content validity, construct validity, and
reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed four-factor structure, and the instrument exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.89, McDonald’s ω = 0.91).