Raises questions about the widely accepted rationale of teaching scientific methodology in order to help students become better problem solvers in nonscience settings. Argues that it is better to teach problem solving skills within familiar contexts not complicated by difficult subject matter. (DC)

Elementary school students (12 year olds) and two groups of 13 year old grammar school students were involved in an experiment which measured the ability to recognize the concept of controlling variables. In addition, ability to transfer learning to another situation was tested. (CP)