Investigated attitudes of Australian elementary school student teachers (N=67) toward science and science teaching. No change in attitude was reported (using Moore and Sutman's Attitude Toward Science and Science Teaching Scales) as a result of taking a content-base science unit, suggesting more effort in fostering desirable attitudes among these…

Discusses a mathematical model for mastery learning. The model includes measures of a motivational factor and the specific ability of a learner with respect to content being learned. The model also contains a variable reflecting prior learning. Assumptions/limitations are discussed, and research questions raised. (Author/JN)

Reviews and analyzes results of experimental studies based on diagnostic prescriptive instruction as it affects science achievement. Results indicate such instruction significantly and positively influences science achievement, but that there is no clear indication that use of prescription/remediation in addition to diagnosis brings about…

Reports a qualitative analysis of classroom discourse in which use of questions by science teachers is assessed in terms of arguments to establish scientific knowledge claims. Questions are analyzed not for form/frequency but for their function in developing arguments that establish claims rationally. (Author/JN)

Reports an investigation of the epistomologic foundations of Gagne's conception of science processes. Results indicate that a commitment to inductive empiricism pervades the presently held view of science processes. Implications for science education are considered. (Author/JN)

Examined junior high school students' (N=2175) perceptions of actual and preferred classroom environment and teachers' (N=56) perceptions of the actual environment. Results indicated that students preferred a more favorable environment that was perceived as being actually present, and that teachers perceived their classroom environment more…

Multiple-choice tests were constructed for seven problem-solving skills using learning hierarchies based on expert-novice differences and refined in three phases of field testing. Includes test reliabilities (sufficient for making judgments of group performance but insufficient in single-administration for individual assessment), validity, and…

Investigated development of propositional logic and three formal logical schemata (underlying generic problem solving processes/operations) in adults (N=59) enrolled in their second year of medical school. Two students were formal on the 12-Piagetian tasks used, and the 57 remaining were classified as transitional formal. Implications are…

Focuses on Binomial Effect Size Display (a concept helpful in interpreting size of an experimental effect). Suggests that both statistical significance and explained variance be reported in experimental research and that values for the latter concepts can be viewed with a more accurate perspective by using BESD. (Author/JN)

Discusses three general characteristics and four criticisms of meta-analysis (statistical analysis of the summary findings of many research studies). Illustrates application of meta-analysis on research studies relating to school class size and achievement and inquiry teaching of biology. (JN)

Twelve pupils from each of 13 middle school science classes participated in this study. Findings, among others, indicate that two of nine engagement measures (attending and generalizing), together with formal reasoning ability, were related to process skill, achievement, and retention. (JN)

Cognitive preference, a cognitive style acquired through life and learning experiences and representing a distinct orientation to information processing, was related to creativity of college students (N=135). Correlations were observed between cognitive preference and verbal creativity but not with figural creativity as measured by the Torrance…

Describes development and validation of a 24-item test which assesses student performance on a set of 12 objectives related to planning and constructing an investigation. In addition to sound psychometric properties, the test is distinctive because it includes a set of interrelated cumulative objectives which reflect autonomous problem solving.…

Relationships between levels of classroom individualization (personalization, participation, independence, investigation, and differentiation) and seven science-related attitudes of junior high school students (N=712) were examined. The study also provided support for the reliability and validity of the two instruments used and for their general…

Describes a Q-sort type instrument useful in obtaining descriptive information about teaching methods and curriculum materials used in the science laboratory, including information for, among others, developing operational definition of constructs (inquiry), diagnosing problems in curriculum development or implementation, and monitoring the effect…