Presents meta-analysis of 54 articles and dissertations dealing with cognitive preferences. Information provided includes: test reliability; comparisons by country, grade level, gender, disciplines, and curricula; relationships between cognitive preferences and career orientation, science achievement, interest, and aptitude; and effect sizes.…

Results of synthesis of 1007 studies on the nature of learning disabilities using indicators in the linguistic, achievement, neuropsychological, and social-behavioral domains, indicated that 75% of learning disabled Ss could be differentiated from normal Ss but only 40% of the variance could be explained. Findings suggest the need for a…

Of 193 special education studies that included significant interaction effects based on a two-way analysis of variance design, only 9% interpreted the significant interaction consistent with the accurate explanation of a differential or joint effect. Instead, the cell means comparison procedure explained the interaction in 77% of the…

The meta analysis explored how measuring special education student progress toward long-term vs. short-term goals affects achievement outcomes. Results indicated that when progress toward long-term goals was measured, unbiased effect sizes were higher than on probelike outcomes; when progress toward short-term goals was measured, the reverse was…

Focuses on alternative paradigms to experimental inquiry useful to instructional systems researchers, including quasi-experimentation, meta-analysis, case study and ethnography, systems-based evaluation, and technique and model development. Each is discussed in terms of how it generally applies in the field and how it has been employed by…

A meta analysis of research findings on the relationship between the physical environment and student behavior and achievement will lead to areas that need further investigation. Evaluation results can influence improving existing facilities and planning new ones. (MLF)

Recent meta-analyses and other studies of media's influence on learning are reviewed. Consistent evidence is found for the generalization that there are no learning benefits to be gained from employing any specific medium to deliver instruction. Problems and suggestions concerning current media attribute and symbol system theories are described.…

Nine experiments were performed to verify and extend studies on sex differences in problem solving conducted in the 1950s by Sweeney, Carey, Milton, Nakamura, and Berry. A 20-item problem set was administered to over 1,000 college students. Results indicated a male advantage, averaging 35 percent, virtually identical with 1950s results. (Author/BS)

Relates writing apprehension to a variety of measures of self-esteem and personality in 13 separate studies. (HOD)

The purpose of this review paper is to conduct an extensive meta-analysis of the empirical literature on gender difference in the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Specifically, the questions that this research addresses are: 1) Are there gender differences in people's behaviors in relation to CMC? If yes, to what extent? 2) What…

A meta-analysis considered the impact of various methods of improving public communication skills on critical thinking. Manuscripts were obtained by searching the available electronic databases (COMINDEX, Dissertation Abstracts, ERIC, Index to Communication Journals, PSYCHLIT), various bibliographies available on the topic, as well as the…

This study explored whether university students' perceptions of the social environment are influenced by professors' classroom teaching innovations. Data from 559 university students in 13 innovative disciplines within 11 schools at the University of Seville, Spain, were used. First, factor analytic procedures with varimax rotation were used to…

This meta-analysis seeks to provide a better understanding of the relationship between racial orientation and a person's relationship with social institutions. It explores relationships between racial group orientation and four outcome variables: educational achievement, propensity toward criminal activities, indicators of psychological…

Whether computer-assisted instruction (CAI) can improve reading achievement of students has been a crucial question addressed by studies in the past. This meta-analysis reviewed 17 research studies based on K-12 students and revealed that CAI does have a positive effect on reading achievement. Although the effects of CAI in the 17 studies were not…

With support from the John Templeton Foundation, the editors held a Summit on Acceleration at The University of Iowa in May 2003. They invited distinguished scholars and educators from around the country to help them formulate a national report on acceleration. Together, they deliberated about what schools need to know in order to make the best…