The Learning Efficiency Test (LET) assesses a subject's learning modality preference. The reviewer cites the instrument's problems with reliability, diagnostic validity, and predictive validity. The need for better documentation of the test's validity and reliability is suggested. (DWH)

Investigated women's (N=35) aptitude for and changes in skills during an engineering training program and the relationship between academic/demographic information and cognitive skills to success in the program. Compares results with those of studies of male undergraduates. Includes results of mathematics anxiety and conservation of horizontality…

The purpose of this study was to measure the relative effectiveness of two methods of teaching drug education to preservice elementary school teachers. The methods compared were the traditional teacher confined approach, and the value clarification group-centered process. The latter approach was found to be superior in all ways measured. (Author)

Determined the degree to which classification of students (N=512) as formal or concrete based on three Inhelder tasks administered by clinical interview method was mirrored by Longeot and Karplus-Lawson-Renner (KLR) classifications. Results indicate that Longeot and KLR differentiate between concrete/formal operations and are discussed from…

School means of 59 cognitive variables were analyzed along with mean socioeconomic status and 19 high school variables. When the intercorrelations of school means were factor analyzed, it was clear that the social selection of students for schools operates almost entirely on the general factor in human intelligence. (Author/CTM)

Describes two studies conducted with selected groups of elementary and secondary science teachers, which established levels of cognitive functioning, cognitive style, nonverbal intelligence, verbal ability and abstract reasoning. Constructs models of the relationship between variables from intercorrelations and partial correlations among tests.…

Relationships among Piagetian reasoning assessments and standard measures of intelligence and achievement were determined in 1972 by Stephens, McLaughlin, Miller, and Glass (EJ 055 112). The data were reanalyzed by Humphreys and Parsons in 1979 (EJ 218 642). In reply, Glass and Stephens note fallacies in Humphreys' and Parsons' reasoning.…

This study examined whether a relationship existed between field-dependence-independence and scientific attitudes of sixth-grade students in SCIS. Findings indicated that such a relationship was not statistically significant. (Author/DS)

Describes a systematic investigation of the understanding of velocity by students in introductory physics courses. Data were obtained using the individual demonstration interview, similar to the clinical interview. Results are reported for success of different populations in comparing velocities for two simultaneous motions. Implications for…

The author describes activities he uses with secondary school science students to learn about their reasoning. (Author/SA)

The battery of perceptual and perceptual-motor tests (including one fine and two gross perceptual-motor tasks, and one visual and two auditory perceptual tasks) were useful for prediction of cognitive performance one year later at kindergarten age. However, cognitive achievement in first grade, and even more so in second grade, was best predicted…

The relevance of verbal reports of thinking for validating multiple-choice critical thinking tests was examined. Results from 342 senior high school students in Newfoundland (Canada) indicate that verbal reports can meet a necessary condition of validation data and collecting data does not alter thinking and performance. (SLD)

Investigated were the relation between functional M-capacity and student performance in solving chemistry problems of increasing M-demand. Student performance decreased as the M-demand of the problems increased. (Author/YP)

It is proposed that criteria for evaluating the quality of performance should be defined, at least tentatively, during the initial design of a performance assessment. Six characteristics of sound criteria are (1) significance; (2) fidelity; (3) generalizability; (4) developmental appropriateness; (5) accessibility; and (6) utility. (SLD)

Reliability and validity of a new measure of cognitive speed, the Speed of Thinking Test (SST), were investigated with 129 college students, who also completed a vocabulary test, a test of reading speed, and a test of reading comprehension. The SST appears to be a reliable and valid measure. (SLD)