The Harder They Fall? A Response to Wickens et al. (2019) Regarding the Generalizability of Lumberjack Predictions to Complex Work Settings

Abstract

Objective This article is a response to Wickens et al.’s (2019) critique of Jamieson and Skraaning (2019). Background Wickens et al. (2019) offer a five-point critique of Jamieson and Skraaning (2019) that they claim tempers the strength of our conclusions. Approach We first correct a misrepresentation in the critique and then respond to each of the criticisms. Results We preserve the strength of our skeptical conclusions about the applicability of the lumberjack model to complex work settings. Applications We continue to caution system designers about the lack of evidence supporting the lumberjack model in the context of complex work systems.