Spacing Effects in Task Repetition Research

Abstract

AbstractThis article provides a conceptual review of the principles of input spacing as they might relate specifically to oral task repetition research and presents some of the common methodological considerations from the broader input spacing literature. The specific considerations discussed include the interaction between intersession intervals and retention intervals, the manipulation of posttests as a between‐participants variable, the number of task repetitions, absolute versus relative spacing, the criterion of learning, task type versus exact task repetition, and blocked versus interleaved practice. Each of these considerations is discussed with links, as appropriate, to the relevant empirical input spacing and task repetition literature. The purpose of this review is to highlight how, in many cases, these methodological considerations have been overlooked by task repetition researchers, including in studies where input spacing has and has not been a direct focus, and to suggest ways of addressing these methodological shortcomings in future research.