This study looks at the effect of objective referenced formative diagnostic testing followed with remediation assignments on three cognitive levels of science achievement and the attitudes of university students, and determines if the effects of treatment were consistent across student locus of control levels. The subjects of the study were 60…

Investigated the influence of locus of control and diagnostic testing with prescribed remediation on immediate and retained science achievement of preservice elementary education majors (N=43) during three introductory biology units. Findings, among others, show no locus of control times treatment interactions and differences in achievement…

Reports on effects of Individualized Goal Setting (IGS) Audio Tutorial (AT) instruction compared to classic AT instruction and effects of pretesting compared to no pretesting on students' locus of control. Indicates no significant effect on students' locus of control between IGS-AT v AT or between pretesting v no pretesting. (DS)

A new construct, the Science Locus of Control (SciLOC) Orientation, was examined as a predictor of attitudes toward science teaching among 108 preservice elementary teachers. It is postulated that each person holds beliefs regarding the degree of his or her personal control in situations where decision, actions, or other modes of performance…

This study investigated the effect of cognitive style on continuing education of scientists and engineers and the interaction of cognitive style with motivation for and inhibition of continuing education. The Group Embedded Figures Test for field dependence/independence, Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Scale for locus of control, and a…

Examines the relationship between science locus of control (SciLOC) orientation and attitudes toward teaching science among 104 preservice elementary school teachers. Path analysis of the proposed causal model accounts for 57 percent of the variance in expressed attitudes and 11 percent of the variance in SciLOC orientation. (Author/YP)

Locus of control as a potentially inhibiting factor in the acquisition of science-related attitudes was studied using 60 tenth grade biology students, 89 eleventh and twelfth grade chemistry students, and 61 college elementary education majors. Correlations between Rotter's Internal-External Scale and seven subscales of the Test of Science-Related…

Reported are results of a study that examined the relationships between university students' entry characteristics and achievement in biology. Variables judged most likely to be predictors of achievement were: (1) scholastic aptitude (quantitative and verbal); (2) level of cognitive development; (3) locus of control; (4) grade point average; (5)…

Reported are results of a replicated study designed to examine the relationships between university students' entry characteristics and achievement in biological science. Variables selected for examination included scholastic aptitude test (SAT) scores (quantitative and verbal); locus of control; grade point average; and achievement motivation.…

Utilizes ATI methods to study relationships between locus of control and preservice science education achievement in science content and science process under high- and low-structured instructional treatments. Findings show that, overall, a high-structure condition was most effective but that internal students achieved more in a low-structured…

Found that a text mode of programed instruction and tutorial computer-assisted instruction are equally effective modes of instruction for teaching internally- and externally-oriented preservice elementary teachers (N=81) the integrated science process skills. (JN)

Determined importance of transition between a student's initial collegiate science experience and the decision to continue in science, and whether reasons students give to explain their success or failure in their first course are related to that decision. Results demonstrate a sense of competence for students who continue in science. (Author/JM)

Investigated relationships among college students (N=76) science achievement, engaged time (observed and perceived), personal characteristics of academic aptitude, reasoning ability, attitude toward science, and locus of control. Among the results reported are significant relationships between engaged time measures and achievement, and between…

Presented are abstracts and abstractors' analyses of 10 studies related, in some manner, to learning. These studies focus on: (1) problem-solving processes used by experts and novices as they worked five mechanics problems (J. H. Larkin and F. Reif); (2) formal reasoning patterns of Italian high school students (M. L. Aiello-Nicosia, et al.); (3)…

A desire to foster enduring, positive attitudes toward science teaching among elementary school teachers led to a study of self-perceptions. On the basis of evidence for strong links between locus of control orientation and attitudes, an attempt was made to enhance internality through instruction. A quasi-experimental research strategy was…