Two response formats and request for reason-for-choice on a traditional cognitive preference test (CPT) and an open-ended CPT were used to test for consistency across methods of observation at individual/population levels. Results indicate that validation of CPT constructs has not reached state of unequivocality necessary for their application in…

Six biology teachers and 90 students participated in this study. Results indicate that teachers can be trained to use a systematic questioning technique, trained teachers can employ the technique in classroom settings, and students taught by the technique achieve higher and retain knowledge longer than those in control groups. (JN)

Identified personality traits (extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability) that distinguish medical technologists (N=83) and college-level biology, chemistry, and physics teachers (N=57) using the Eysnck Personality Inventory. Also compared personality profiles of these subjects using Holland's Vocational Preference Inventory. Results and…

Perceptual orientation (field dependence/independence) was related to 47 biology/earth science students' attitudes toward science. In addition, students who were field dependent and possessed a positive attitude scored significantly higher on a science achievement test than students who were field dependent and possessed a negative attitude. (JN)

An instructional program based on expert-novice differences in experimental problem-solving performance was taught to grade six students (N=265). Performance was assessed with multiple-choice and open-ended measures of specific transfer. Between-group comparisons using pretest scores as covariate showed treatment condition students consistently…

Investigated convergent validity of individual Piaget/Inhelder clinical task interviews with Reasoning Test (Ankney and Joyce), Logical Reasoning Test (Burney), and Classroom Test of Formal Operations (Lawson). Indicates that correlations obtained are not sufficiently strong to warrant selection/categorization of individual students based on their…

A 20-item double-Q sort was used to measure differences in perceptions of grades 8, 10, and 12 students (N=215) according to letter grades and sex. Differences in perception according to success were found for both ideal and actual student behavior, while sex differences were not noted. (Author/JN)

Assessed influence of subsidiary learning activities in a physiology class on attitudes of students (N= approximately 173) toward contraceptives. A significantly larger number of students possessed positive attitudes after engaging in such activities as reading assignments and large/small group discussions during the course of one semester. (JN)

Initial textbook investigations indicate that more new words/phrases are introduced than in a similar time frame in which foreign languages are studied. Reviews these initial studies, studies of vocabulary mastery in foreign languages, and general research concerning vocabulary development. Reports on occurrence of technical/special words in 25…

Examined management behaviors of junior high science teachers (N=16) and the relationship to task involvement of students operating in small group laboratory settings. Results of 91 observations indicate that teacher behavior was directed in three ways: whole class, small groups, and nonclass related. Implications for science instruction are…

Investigated effects of increasing middle school teachers' (N=40) wait time on general questioning skills in science teaching. Four groups (10 teachers each) were used: control; group receiving printed guides on discussion/techniques; group using an electronic feedback device; group using both guides and feedback device. Results, conclusions, and…

Investigated 90 Form Two students' (grade nine equivalent in USA) alternative conceptions and instructional strategies to affect change from alternative to scientific conceptions. Results indicate significantly larger improvement in acquisition of science concepts (mass, volume, density) by experimental groups resulting from strategies/materials…

Documented training and educational activities of preservice elementary education majors (N=20) to determine what (if any) aspects of their science training contribute to developing the apprehension elementary teachers have toward science, science education, and science instruction. Results, conclusions, and implications are reported from the…

Compared laboratory and naturalistic content influences on formal reasoning tasks of 90 13-, 15-, and 17-year-olds, focusing on tasks requiring ability to control variables. Results indicate that 8 to 20 percent of performance variance was associated with task content. Content effects were also shown to reflect expectations about task variables.…

Reported and discussed are data collected from 50 states concerning the professional preparation of state science consultants, the nature of the positions, number of workers employed in such units, changes in support staff, facilities, and budget for each five-year interval between 1960 and 1980. Eight trends resulting from the data analysis are…