This study aimed to comparatively analyse the effects of problem-based learning model (PBLM) on cognitive outputs (CO). The study reviewed quasi-experimental studies on PBLM and CO, focusing on the cognitive outputs of thinking skills, problem-solving skill, and academic achievement. The quantitative data of these studies, comprising 56 articles…

In physiology education, students must learn to recognize and construct causal explanations. This challenges students, in part, because causal explanations in biology manifest in different varieties. Unlike other natural sciences, causal mechanisms in physiology support physiological functions and reflect biological adaptations. Therefore,…

The aim of this research was to investigate the associations between attachment styles, mental well-being and psychological vulnerability. The sample comprised a total of 257 university students including 205 women (79.8%) and 52 men (20.2%). The ages of university students varied from 18 to 34 years [M[subscript age] = 21.37, SD = 2.13]. The…

Context: Prolonged disconnection from school and work represents major setbacks during the transition to adulthood and is a distinct feature of the developmental trajectories of many disadvantaged youths, especially those from a marginalized racial background (Hong and Chung 2022; Shanahan 2000). Differential schooling experiences are hypothesized…

Quasi-experimental methods are a cornerstone of applied social science, providing critical answers to causal questions that inform policy and practice. Although open science principles have influenced experimental research norms across the social sciences, these practices are rarely implemented in quasi-experimental research. In this paper, we…

Growing literature documents the promise of active learning instruction in engaging students in college classrooms. Accordingly, faculty professional development (PD) programs on active learning have become increasingly popular in postsecondary institutions; yet, quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of these programs is limited. Using…

Background: A singular ecological risk factor did not accurately reflect the reality of adolescents' lives and could not fully elucidate the developmental mechanisms of adolescent suicidal ideation. The cumulative effect of multiple ecological risk factors (which may interact synergistically) could have provided a more comprehensive understanding…

Complex social scientific theories are conventionally tested using linear structural equation modeling (SEM). However, the underlying assumptions of linear SEM often prove unrealistic, making the decomposition of direct and indirect effects problematic. Recent advancements in causal mediation analysis can help to address these shortcomings,…

Teleological reasoning is viewed as a major hurdle to evolution education, and yet, eliciting, interpreting, and reflecting upon teleological language presents an arguably greater challenge to the evolution educator and researcher. This article argues that making explicit the role of behavior as a causal factor in the evolution of particular…

Background: In recent years, the penetration rate of smartphones among Korean teenagers has increased, making it critical to clarify the influence of these devices on adolescents' lives. Objective: This study investigated the effects of smartphone dependence on peer relationships and life satisfaction among Korean adolescents. Methods: Using the…

In mixed methods approaches, statistical models are used to identify "nested" cases for intensive, small-n investigation for a range of purposes, including notably the examination of causal mechanisms. This article shows that under a commonsense interpretation of causal effects, large-n models allow no reliable conclusions about effect…

When individuals seek to learn about scientific information, they likely turn to the Internet. There, they will find multiple documents with conflicting points of view and varying degrees of accuracy. Integrating this information is challenging and may evoke epistemic emotions which may, in turn, influence how this information is integrated.…

Implementation fidelity is the degree of compliance with which the core elements of program or intervention practices are used as intended. The scientific literature reveals gaps in defining and assessing implementation fidelity in early intervention: lack of common definitions and conceptual framework as well as their lack of application. Through…

The Jeong (2020) study found that greater use of backward and depth-first processing was associated with higher scores on students' argument maps and that analysis of only the first five nodes students placed in their maps predicted map scores. This study utilized the jMAP tool and algorithms developed in the Jeong (2020) study to determine if the…

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical method widely used in educational research to investigate relationships between variables. SEM models are typically constructed based on theoretical foundations and assessed through fit indices. However, a well-fitting SEM model alone is not sufficient to verify the causal inferences underlying…