While minor physical anomalies (MPAs), a set of 17 non-obvious but measurable characteristics of the hands, face and feet, have been linked to a number of behavioral syndromes in children, such personality correlates of MPAs in adults have not been studied. To explore the relationshp between MPAs and temperament in a college sample, 114 students…

A study was undertaken to determine aspects of gender-related differences in mathematics achievement among 10th graders (n=253). More specifically, the following aspects were assessed: (1) gender-related differences and similarities on specific process-, content-, and micro-component aspects; (2) stability of the patterns of differences and…

To determine significant influences on the career choices of graduates of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), a three-page survey was mailed to all members of five recent graduating classes (1983 through 1987). These five classes consisted of 262 individuals, of whom 243 persons could be reached. A total of 132 female and 65 male…

This study was conducted to relate personal, cognitive, and school variables to physics achievement. The sample consisted of 435 students participating in the 1985 Mississippi State University Annual Physics Competition. The Student Background Questionnaire was planned and developed to collect information on each variable examined. The predictor…

Preliminary work by Theresa McMillen and George Bodner has shown significant correlations between level of spatial visualization and orientation ability and success in a chemistry course designed for science and engineering majors. This study is an in-depth replication of McMillen's work with approximately 1600 science and engineering majors…

Drawing upon the processing, distancing, and affective streams of writing research, a study examined the relationships among key variables in the writing of sixth through twelfth grade students: grade level, writing ability, knowledge of appropriate and inappropriate writing behaviors, and writing apprehension. Subjects, 496 students from an urban…

The success with which freshmen cumulative point averages may be predicted from a combination of a student's high school rank, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score (Verbal) and SAT score (Mathematics) was investigated. A multiple regression formula developed by the College Entrance Examination Board was used to combine the three predictors into a…

Predictors of academic staff administrators' job change were studied based on a conceptual framework derived from Rosabeth Kanter's work on opportunity. Questionnaire data from higher education administrators who had been employed between 1973 and 1978 following the application of affirmative action to higher education were analyzed. "Academic…

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)…

College students may be influenced by a variety of factors when choosing a major. Mathematics anxiety has received substantial attention, but has not been considered as a factor in choice of college major. The relationship between mathematics anxiety and the academic majors chosen by new freshmen prior to enrollment was investigated for a group of…

With the resurgence of interest in sex differences research, it is important to use a "confidence interval" strategy in organizing and interpreting material rather than a strategy of statistical significance or non-significance. Investigators are urged to go beyond the reporting of statistical significance and to determine something…

Addresses the implicit assumption that instructional media represent meaningful experimental variables independent of instructional content or strategy. Results of computer-based instruction (CBI) studies (both well-designed and flawed) and meta-analyses are reviewed to support the authors' position that this assumption is invalid, and new…

A study using discriminant analysis to correct bias in predicting faculty rank is reported. Findings concerning the relationship of prediction error and gender and suggestions for use of the results to study salary-bias problems are also discussed. (Author/MSE)

The relationships between job satisfaction and aspects of life at work and away from work were studied in 112 faculty members. Unlike the general population, academics appeared to experience a high degree of spillover between work and life away from work. (Author/MSE)

Racial differences in the effects of intellectual and nonintellectual student characteristics and faculty attitudes and behaviors that significantly predict students' college performance are examined. Significant differences between black and white students' college performance and the predictors are discovered. (Author/MLW)