Differentiating between time-series design and time-series analysis, examines design considerations and reanalyzes data previously reported by Mayer and Kozlow in this journal. The current analysis supports the analysis performed by Mayer and Kozlow but puts the results on a somewhat firmer statistical footing. (Author/JN)

Investigated effects of limited oral/physical teacher intervention on object manipulation by preschool/early elementary children (N=70). Experimental students had magnets placed in their hands and were orally invited to explore. Results indicated differences between experimental/control groups in time spent with objects, number of activities…

Comparison of science teacher characteristics revealed that females (N=72) scored higher on measures of science interest and receptivity to change while males (N=273) scored higher on science knowledge indicators and on perceptions of teaching support received. No differences on other measures were noted. Discusses implications related to females'…

Effect of science instruction on young children's (N=64) concept of Piagetian physical causality was investigated. Results indicate, that pre/concrete-operational children can learn and apply a definition of living when that definition is taught through observable characteristics. Additional results and implications for elementary science…

Effects of a sequence of two science content courses (earth science/biology and physical science) on preservice elementary teachers' attitude toward and anxiety about science teaching were examined. Results from two studies (1977-78, N=78 and 1978-79, N=71) indicate attitude/anxiety changed in a positive direction and continued in subsequent…

Using Project Synthesis as an example of qualitative synthesis research in science education, discusses the characteristics of such research: using research teams to provide perspectives and viewpoints; using variety of data sources; including a conceptual scheme for accomplishing synthesis; and concluding with, among others, an analysis of…

Effects on students' (N=44) achievement and attitudes of cooperative, competitive, and individualistic instruction were compared in ninth-grade physical science classes. Results indicate that cooperative learning experiences promoted mastery and retention of material being taught as well as moreover positive attitudes toward the experience than…

Investigated relationship between lesson content and participation of pupils in rural India primary schools. Spontaneous participation in teacher-directed classrooms (N=136) was shown to be correlated with time spent by teachers in relating textbook content to pupils' natural experience. Experiments and teaching aids were also useful in drawing…

Random sample of K-12 science teachers (N=400) was surveyed regarding their attitude toward and practice of career education in their science teaching. Results indicate, among others, a rejection of a vocational view, favoring instead a career education conception which includes self-perception, values analysis, and vocational skills objectives.…

Discusses results of surveys on status of science education in graduate institutions (N=132), focusing on the 35 largest programs in terms of doctoral programs/enrollment and research productivity and other science educators' (N=144) perceptions of problems. Suggests solutions related to: administration, research, science content; theory and…

Argues that in order for there to be a theory there must be something to be explained. Questions the development of theories in education in general and in science education in particular. Suggests phrasing research questions straightforwardly, as questions, and not as theories to be tested. (Author/SK)

Investigated performance of Hispanic science and engineering students (N=43) on reading a sentence describing the mathematical relationship between two variables and writing an equation describing the relationship. Results compared with (1) subjects' grade point average and language proficiency and (2) monolingual group (N=52). (Author/SK)

Three cognitive preference instruments were administered to 71 college students and 37 tenth graders to measure cognitive preferences in a natural information processing (learning) situation and to assess convergent validity of cognitive preference construct and instrument validity of conventional tests. Strong evidence of convergent validity was…

Science education researchers have not used conceptual content of science (with some exceptions) as an important variable in their research. Suggestions are offered as to what kinds of science education research could be done in which conceptual content of science is important. (Author/SK)

Argues that naturalistic research is appropriate for studying science education. Stages of naturalistic research are explained and illustrated with material from NSF-sponsored Case Studies in Science Education. Problems in traditional research methods are presented as justification for inductive models or models based on multiple methods,…