The following article gives a brief account of some empirical research done in the 1980s in the UK by the present author with his colleague, Ibrahim Abdel-Ghany of Minia University, Egypt. At the time both researchers were working at the University of East Anglia at Norwich, England. This work is partly based on empirical arguments, and on…

Describes the three phases of the development of the pilot project on science concepts learning which was designed to be implemented nationally by the participating countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). (HM)

Presents short descriptions of some research projects in science and mathematics education which have been conducted in the following countries in Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. (HM)

Investigates the abilities of 36 fifth graders and 30 ninth graders who were selected from 11 schools in Thailand to solve problems involving seven of Piaget's logical operations. These operations are classification, seriation, logical multiplication, compensation, proportional thinking, probability, and correlational thinking. (HM)

Investigates classification achievement in Thai and American children as well as children's classification achievement within cultures and across cultures at different age levels. One hundred and twenty American and Thai children from 6 to 11 years of age were randomly selected to participate in this study. (HM)

Describes the Concept Learning Project (CLP) that investigates how children in Southeast Asia Learn mathematics and science concepts based on the thinking levels of children, using Piagetian theory. Results of field trials in Thailand are presented. (HM)

Evaluates the Southeast Asia Science and Mathematics Experiment (SEASAME) which is a regional pilot project of the Regional Center for Education in Science and Mathematics (RECSAM). Five phases of the SEASAME curriculum materials for grades one through six used in the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are being evaluated. (HM)

Compared performance of Malaysian children with that of English children on a test into the understanding of number concepts. Findings indicate that difficulties of Malaysian children may be quite different from those of English children. Among the difficulties identified were misconceptions about the order of operation in division and…

Reports the results of a cross-cultural study of the development of five spatial competencies in samples of Thai and Australian children. The pattern of development was found to be similar for seven- and eight-year-olds but different for four- and five-year-olds. (Author/JN)

Test items were developed to assess a child's understanding of certain mathematical concepts. The taxonomy and criteria for developing superitems are described in some detail. The developed items were tried out with students and data are given on test results. (MNS)

This study investigated the effects of specific criteria for marking a test on its reliability and validity. Eight algebra word problems were administered to grade 10 students. The objectivity of scoring criteria improved the reliability of the test, but did not affect its validity. (MNS)

The study investigated the extent of process skill achievement among a sample of recent Malaysian high school graduates, and the relationship of these scores to science scores. Among the conclusions is that the science tests placed little emphasis on the assessment of process skills. (MNS)

Reported is a series of curriculum research studies carried out in Papua New Guinea between 1972 and 1980 into the effects of formal schooling, with compulsory component of science instruction on attitudes toward investigation, control, and manipulation of natural phenomena and toward traditional religion. (MNS)

To obtain reliable and valid measures of cognitive development in group settings, the Test of Logical Thinking, a paper-and pencil test of formal reasoning ability, was developed. It was administered to high school stuents, and alternate forms were then devised. Applications are discussed. (MNS)

Attitudes toward science of 654 pupils aged 14-15 were assessed, and relationships between attitude and locality, achievement, and sex studied. Achievement was mildly correlated with attitude, but locality and sex had no influence. Other findings are also discussed. (MNS)