Nine undergraduate science and non-science majors (novices) who had recently completed their first college classroom study of genetics and seven genetics graduate students and biology instructors (experts) were videotaped as they attempted to solve a selected group of seven moderately complex classifical genetics problems and three Piagetian tasks…

Students and instructors may be frustrated with students' lack of understanding of sociological concepts. We suggest that the difficulty of teaching and learning sociology is that sociological concepts and relationships require the use of abstract reasoning patterns. Many students are unaccustomed to using these abstract reasoning patterns. We use…

The purpose of this study was to develop a procedure for the evaluation of M-demand of chemistry problems. It was shown that dimensional analysis upon the Neo-Piagetian theory of Pascual-Leone could help science teachers to understand the epistemological basis of their discipline. (CW)

This study examined the science process skill of prediction problem solving using naturalistic research methodology and information-processing theory. The think-aloud interview led to the identification of several specific program exploration and prediction behaviors. A total of 14 high school biology students made predictions concerning the…

Criticizes the Mitchell and Lawson (1988) report from the viewpoint of individual interview method. Provides Lawson's reply to the comment by showing differences in research philosophy and methods. (YP)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an electronic geoboard, a computer-software program, could be used to assess youngsters' ability to discover facts and relationships in an unlabled and ambiguous situation. Subjects--108 children, ages 6 to 12--were enrolled in grades 1 to 6 in Norwood, New York. The electronic geoboard served as…

Use of a computer programming language in problem-solving activities provides an opportunity to examine how young children use a restricted set of language primitives. The generation, and execution of computer instructions was used as a verification stage in the problem-solution process. The metric is intended to provide a descriptive…

Examined is the predictive value of the cognitive variables of developmental level, mental capacity, cognitive style, short-term storage space, and numerical inductive reasoning for student achievement in college science. Included is a strategy for the development of materials which would allow students to develop problem-solving skills. (KR)

This paper describes a study designed to investigate the development of scientific reasoning or logical thinking patterns of South Korean secodary school students. The scientific reasoning or logical thinking patterns were categorized into patterns of logic such as seriation, combinations, proportion, control of variables, probability, and…

Discusses the claims that experiences in computer programming enhance performance on conditional reasoning tasks. Describes three experimental studies designed to address that hypothesis using three different populations of students. Results of all three studies indicate nonsignificant treatment effects. (TW)