Analyzes the validity and reliability of the evidence from children's ideas from a constructivist viewpoint and proposes a guiding set of methodological principles for the generation and evaluation of evidence. Uses the guiding principles to make a critical analysis of some well-known research studies in the field of chemistry. Contains 33…

Discusses the misconception that salts are completely ionizing in solution, the presence of this error in textbooks, probable origins of the error, covalent bonding and ion pairs, and how to tell students the truth. (MKR)

Explores high school biology and the teaching of genetics. The question is asked, Can the use of relevant, meaningful human genetics concepts diminish the number of misconceptions formed between new and existing concepts? Can the application of the Ausubelian learning theory also decrease the acquisition of misconceptions? (SAH)

Indicates the importance of science literacy in the population. Makes recommendations for a successful liberal arts science course such as using an interactive inquiry oriented approach and including recent scientific views. (YDS)

Although anorexia nervosa affects over one million males yearly, it is often misdiagnosed or overlooked by mental health and medical practitioners. This article brings the problem to the forefront and outlines features that are unique to these males. Greater recognition of the disorder can lead to more accurate diagnoses and, subsequently, better…

Considers research that shows very poor student understanding after the teaching of electricity and draws two broad conclusions of central relevance to the teaching of electricity: (1) there is an absence of any systemic consensus as to what models are appropriate for students at different year levels and for different intended learning outcomes;…

Explains the distinction between the concepts of melting and dissolving. (Contains 15 references.) (YDS)

Focuses on the overgeneralization of the linear model--the so-called illusion of linearity. Reports on two follow-up studies investigating the effects of problem presentation and formulation on the strength of the illusion of linearity. Shows that including visual scaffolds and making comparison problems has a positive effect on students' ability…

Reports the results of an investigation on student understanding of selected topics in heat and temperature, particularly thermal equilibrium, giving evidence for a number of misconceptions about heat and temperature and the relationships between specific heat, heat capacity, and heat transfer. Subjects represented diverse groups with widely…

Recommends ways that teachers can scrutinize and modify their science teaching to avoid student misconceptions by focusing on clarifying conceptions, analyzing understanding, and making changes. (YDS)

Reports on a study in which anchoring probability situations that are conceptually analogous to misconception-prone target probability situations were generated and tested with secondary mathematics students. Reports that a follow up test showed that 65% of the reconstructed knowledge was retained after six months. (Author/MM)

Explains studies on the idea of taking children's ideas seriously and when and how this notion took place in the curriculum. Describes the common characteristic of children's ideas and discusses what teachers should do with these ideas. (YDS)

The misconceptions regarding the nature of ATP hydrolysis and bond breaking are discussed. The students' knowledge in this area is quantitatively measured by a survey of over 600 biochemistry and physiology students.

During the coming years the number of older adults will increase dramatically, which will require a corresponding increase in the number of social workers who have accurate knowledge of this population. This article reports the impact focus groups with older adults and with service providers who work with older adults and their families have on…

The potential of many African American students is undetected due to misperceptions about their intellectual ability and achievement. These misperceptions cause inadequate instructional responses, which in turn perpetuate the cycle of underachievement. This article analyzes the bases for many of these misperceptions, explores the impact of culture…