The relationship between a student's stated preference for solving a problem and his/her actual problem methodology, concrete or abstract, was studied. Comparisons were made between formal and nonformal students. (MP)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between a student's stated preference for solving a problem and his/her actual problem solving methodology. Approximately 116 science students between the ages of 15 and 22 were given an 18 item abstract preference survey. Each student was interviewed and given the opportunity to solve…

Preference scores were determined for several different groups of students ranging in age from seven to adult. In addition, instruments were administered to determine the cognitive level at which the students were capable of functioning. Comparisons between the students' cognitive level and preferences were made. The results indicated that the…

Examines the assumption that students use a level of reasoning, when solving problems, that is substantially below their intellectual capacity. The study involved 466 college students enrolled in a general chemistry or a physical science course. The results include a comparison of science and non-science majors. (GS)

Investigated, within a Piagetian framework, was the degree of abstract preferences exhibited by five different grade levels of science students as they completed eighteen problem solving tasks. Three hundred twenty-nine randomly selected students from five grade levels, ranging from eighth grade to college seniors, were given the Shipley Test of…

Examines the role of individual preference in the measurement of a student's cognitive level of development utilizing 324 science students from grade eight to college seniors. Results indicate that although students may possess formal thought ability, they may prefer to solve certain problem types via concrete methods. (SL)