Investigates how adult readers represent causal relations among events in a narrative, specifically by testing two models of text comprehension, the linear chain of text model versus the network model. Provides support for a network model of the representation of causal relations in narratives. (HB)

Argues that an adequate theory of inference generation should accurately predict whether particular classes of knowledge-based inferences are generated online during text comprehension. Proposes a "constructionist" theory which accounts for the findings of cognitive psychology and discourse processing. (HB)

Applies schema theory (assimilation, accommodation, and medium) to the processes associated with learning from the news media. Finds subjects given consistent information most willing to make inferences, with those receiving inconsistent information more likely to remember more facts. Finds that mode of presentation has little effect. (SR)

The statistical analysis of processing tree models is advanced by showing how the parameters of estimation and hypothesis testing, based on the likelihood functions, can be accomplished by adapting the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The adaptation makes it easy to program a personal computer to accomplish the stages of statistical…

Many curricula for teaching reading in a foreign language do not include the skill of understanding the implicit meaning of texts. This article presents a taxonomy of inferences drawn from selected taxonomies of Pearson and Johnson, Warren et al., and Nicholas et al., which are also reviewed. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/LB)

Investigated age differences from early childhood to adulthood in the capacity to understand--in a psychologically meaningful way--traits in stories wherein main characters perform actions based on a positive, negative, or incidental motive that result in an emotional consequence for another character. Found that even 5- to 6-year-olds made trait…

Discusses the importance of teaching English-as-a-Second-Language students to be effective listeners, examining different types of listening (listening for gist, listening for specific information, and inference) and describing how to determine the direction in which students listen (top down or bottom up). Two sidebars present teaching tips and…

Examines the relationship between readers' implicit models of reading and motivation to read. Argues that transaction models increase motivation to read by legitimizing the meaning-construction process and by increasing the type and number of deeper-processing strategies such as inferencing, generating hypotheses, and the construction of a…

Statistical significance reporting and use in educational and psychological research is reviewed. An assessment of the use of statistical significance in articles published in MECD from 1990-1996 is presented. The elements of statistical significance (including sample size, effect size, and power), interpretation of results, common erroneous…

Suggests two models of how readers create bridging inferences to resolve signals to textual cohesion. Evaluates reading times, verification accuracy, verification latency, and regressive eye fixations to support the model which views bridges as the result of a form of deduction in which the reader tacitly establishes premises that provide rational…

Examines the influence of interclause connectives on inference generation. Finds that readers incorporate causal knowledge-based inferences in the discourse representations for sentences containing a causal connective, and that connectives elicit inferences that are based on the connective's meaning. (SR)

Addresses the state of the art in use of statistical significance tests and effect size interpretation, explicating the current debate regarding hypothesis testing; reviewing the newly published American Psychological Association Task Force on Statistical Inference report on statistical inference; examining current trends in reporting practices in…

Describes the development of an introductory course that exposes mathematical sciences majors to a full range of issues that most practicing statisticians may face including data acquisition, design of experiments, use of theory, and formal writing. Provides a summary of laboratories and student perspectives. (Author/MM)

The study of statistics can be enhanced by using real-world data and problems obtained from the Internet. Uses data on HIV infections in Asian and Pacific Islander females to teach both descriptive and inferential statistics. (ASK)

Discusses the extent to which the existing literature offers insights into effectively teaching statistical inference. Describes an in-class exercise that helps students understand inferential statistics. Explains that students learn more about concepts such as population distribution, sampling distributions, and standard error of the estimate.…