Kathryn Friedlander at the University of Buckingham has released another paper around her work on cryptic crossword solving and what it says about expertise and thinking processes. The paper is here. There’s also a summary for a more general readership on the createpsy site here. I haven’t had a page on the site referenced in a peer-reviewed document before! The crossword itself is here, with a brief commentary about the work, while the solution has a sort of blog attached.
Thanks for the links Paul. I took part in the original research and enjoyed the experience. I have just had another go at the puzzle which I think was at the more “straightforward” end of the spectrum of difficulty for your puzzles.
I recall having a discussion about the word “moot” with Kathryn, who was interested in how widely known it was known. I never use it but I recall my Dad doing so. I do think that your puzzles have less of the typical historic references (e.g. tree for actor) than other setters and of course your themes are usually contemporary, if rather obscure sometimes !
I was just coming on here to thank Paul (H) for the cross-referral, but was very pleased to see you here, too, Paul (J)! I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience with us in Buckingham. I remember the conversation we had about ‘moot’: many of the other solvers claimed not to know the word, which surprised me, as I know my family used it quite a lot.
All best wishes – Kathryn