Examines what power-related changes occured in science education research over the past decade as a result of an earlier survey. Previous recommendations are expanded/expounded upon within the context of more recent work in the area. Proposes guidelines for reporting minimal amount of information for clear/independent evaluation of research…

Tested effect of two persuasive messages presented by a credible communicator on energy conservation attitudes of 180 preservice elementary teachers. Focused on changes resulting from brief, belief-laden communication; dissipation of attitude gains after treatment; and whether integrated/nonintegrated communications affected energy attitudes of…

The current status of "homemade" achievement tests reported in "Journal of Research in Science Teaching" and "Science Education" (January 1975 to January 1980) is examined using Anderson's (EJ 062 750) eight categories of information that a high quality research report should include. Findings from 142 references analyzed are reported. (JN)

Reports efforts and results associated with the development and validation of a test of graphing skills for grade seven through twelve science students. Concludes that the Test of Graphing in Science (TOGS) is a valid and reliable instrument. Also discusses TOGS value to the teacher and educational researcher. (ML)

Discusses a study which explored the possible value of the history of science to understanding student misconceptions. Focused on photosynthesis and examined relationships between students' conceptual difficulties and the transformation of concepts through time. Student responses suggest that the history of science can be used to anticipate…

Reviews findings from a survey which focused on the teaching of global problems related to science and technology. Includes a ranking of 12 global problems and a listing of the survey's results. Presents six specific policy recommendations for programs and practices which support a Science-Technology-Society theme. (ML)

Discusses a study which examined the last factor of Piaget's model of intelligence-functioning. Sought to determine if empirical evidence could be formed to support the existence of assimilation, disequilibrium, accommodation, and organization in the learning of physics. Naturalistic data provided support for the Piagetian functioning model of…

Examines the use of clinical interviews as a complement to more typical achievement tests. The research focused on the learning outcomes resulting from second grade students' viewing of television program on magnets. Results indicated that clinical interviews provided evidence of effective instruction when achievement tests did not. (ML)

Reviews procedures followed in developing a set of science items for Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology content areas and examines the items' construct validity in relation to a specific technique of evaluation. Analysis supported the items' construct validity and viability for testing certain science skills at the secondary level. (ML)

This study is a synthesis of practice and research related to use of behavior analysis to train teachers. An idealized model for training science teachers is presented with research related to the model categories reviewed and analyzed. Results (based on meta-analysis) which support the idealized model are presented and discussed. (Author/JN)

Data on 30,030 sophomores in the "High School and Beyond" project were analyzed to test the private school superiority hypothesis for science achievement. The supposition that private schools are superior to public schools in producing science achievement is rejected. Other factors related to achievement are noted and discussed. (JN)

Investigated the influence of locus of control and diagnostic testing with prescribed remediation on immediate and retained science achievement of preservice elementary education majors (N=43) during three introductory biology units. Findings, among others, show no locus of control times treatment interactions and differences in achievement…

Different learning cycle sequences were investigated to determine factors accounting for success of the cycle, compared learning with conventional instruction, and examined relationships between Piaget's theory and learning cycles. Results show that the normal learning cycle sequence is the optimum sequence for achievement of content knowledge in…

Discusses results obtained from a survey of secondary science teachers to determine their research needs. Among the areas considered are priorities of these teachers in general and differences in priorities related to discipline taught, sex, grade level (junior or senior high), type of community, and years of teaching experience. (JN)

Investigated use of analog tasks for determining difficulties that high school chemistry students (N=619) might encounter in solving molarity problems. One finding is that analog task used is a predictor of success on a molarity test. (Author/JN)