This study developed an empirically based questionnaire to monitor young learners' conceptions of nature of science (NOS). The questionnaire, entitled Students' Ideas about Nature of Science (SINOS), measured views on theory-ladenness, use of creativity and imagination, tentativeness of scientific knowledge, durability of scientific knowledge,…

Compares two theories of assessing functional knowledge for intuitive physics using choice and functional measurement responses (N=40) in two situations. Reports that the choice theory showed substantial frequencies of stepwise rules while functional measurement showed that most subjects integrated the two variables. Concludes that functional…

In this study 126 high school students were administered the Karplus Island Puzzle and interviewed individually to determine if the puzzle measured Piagetian-type operational thinking. Results indicated that the puzzle did not characterize an individual's cognitive level. (SL)

Twenty-three high school biology students using the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) Blue Textbook were administered a weight conservation and two volume conservation tasks. A majority performed below formal-operational level, indicating that these students would be likely to encounter difficuluty with BSCS Blue Version materials. (MLH)

Describes validation procedures used with an individually administered test involving a branching program format to assess students level of cognitive achievement in biology. Reports results of comparisons of classes of teachers with BSCS or non-BSCS backgrounds. (AL)

Nine eighth grade classes were examined to identify the nature, distribution and patterning of verbal discourse. Included are a description of the categories used (Smith and Meux), a description of the nature of the verbal interaction in science lessons, and a resulting comparison between Australian, American, and New Zealand teachers. (DS)

Students enrolled in an introductory, audio-tutorial biology course were randomly assigned to either the control group, which followed the regular program and took pre and posttests designed for this study, or to the experimental group, which followed an identical program with additional exercises specially designed to teach higher cognitive…

A sex-related difference, favoring boys, was found on initial performance of two samples (one British, one American) of 10- and 11-year-old children on tasks involving volume and density. After classroom instruction that included opportunities for interaction with appropriate materials, both sexes performed at higher levels but differences…

Compares the cognitive levels of groups of high school biology students, freshman physics students, and senior science students by testing them with two Piagetian tasks. Examines correlations between cognitive levels and other measures such as SAT scores. (MLH)

An empirical analysis of the relationship between science reasoning skills and the amount of information acquired during science learning as predicted by a neuromathematical model of information processing is presented. Subjects were 93 adolescents (mean age of 15.4 years old) with a IQ range of 91-142. (Author/JN)

Examines the transition from concrete to formal thought in Piagetian theory. The questions investigated relate to the abruptness of the transition period, the simultaneity of changes across schemes, and the influence of one scheme of development on another. (SA)

Studied the effects of the inquiry strategy method on the styles of categorization of 92 students, using results from the Sigel Cognitive Style Test administered in 1966, 1970, and 1971. Concluded that the inquiry-exposed groups were found to be significantly more analytical than the comparison groups. (CC)

Investigates the effect that manipulation of the extent of formal reasoning required for solving chemistry problems has upon student performance, and presents a cognitive model for the qualitative analysis of that effect. Concludes that the developmental level of students is the most important predictor of problem-solving success given significant…

Designs a testing situation to examine the presence of combinatorial analysis, to establish construct validity in the use of an instrument, Combinatorial Analysis Behavior Observation Scheme (CABOS), and to investigate the presence of the schema in young adolescents. (Author/GA)

Investigated was the hypothesis that conservation tasks are unifactor by administering eight different conservation tasks to 96 seventh-grade science students and performing a principal component analysis on the data. Results indicated that conservation tasks may measure up to three different components of cognitive thought. (SL)