The idea that parental involvement has a positive influence on students' academic achievement is so intuitively appealing that society in general, and educators in particular, have considered parental involvement as the remedy for many problems in education. The vast proportion of the literature in this area, however, is qualitative without…

A meta-analysis of studies of gender differences in computer attitudes and behavior found that males exhibited greater sex-role stereotyping of computers, higher computer self-efficacy, and more positive attitudes toward computers than females. Most differences in attitudes and behavior were small, with the largest found in high school students.…

Describes a study designed to assess the magnitude of the relationship between attitude toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics. The study employs a meta-analysis to integrate and summarize the findings from primary studies (N=113). Contains 81 references. (DDR)

Investigated the effects of religious schooling and personal religious commitment on African American and Hispanic students' academic achievement. Analysis of data from 15 studies indicated that religious schooling and religiosity each had a positive impact on academic achievement and school-related behavior. The effect sizes that emerged for…

Meta-analysis of 33 studies examined effect size for nonstimulant medications on symptoms of overt aggression-related behaviors in children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral disturbances. Thirty-seven independent effects were found for neuroleptic, atypical antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, antidepressant, and adrenergic agents…

This article reviews 49 studies describing the use of differential reinforcement procedures to reduce maladaptive responding of persons with severe or profound mental retardation. Reviewed were the differential reinforcement of (1) alternative behavior; (2) low rates of responding; (3) other behavior; and (4) incompatible behavior. Findings were…

A meta-analysis combining expert evaluation with naturalistic case study methods indicates that such investigations must use special methods to render evaluative judgments of worth. It is demonstrated that descriptive, interpretive, and evaluative aspects of such a study must be combined to yield justifiable conclusions. (TJH)

The article critiques a 1987 (Kavale and Forness) meta-analysis which concluded that research does not support modality-based instruction. The study is faulted for its selection criteria as well as its failure to consider demographic differences, achievement level differences, multiplicity of preferences, definitions of terms, effect-size…

This response to Dunn (EC 221 793) reaffirms the conclusions of a meta analysis on modality-based instruction, through elaboration of the study's selection criteria and methodological factors. Although modality-based instruction is seen to be intuitively appealing, educators are encouraged, instead, to apply instructional methods of proven…

Uses meta-analysis to test three models of the "sleeper" effect (a theory proposing that in the long term low credible sources may actually attain greater attitude change in message recipients than high credible sources). Concludes that the sleeper effect does exist, and offers suggestions for practitioners and theorists. (SR)

The comparability of seven sets of factor structure studies reported in previous research with the Bem Sex-Role Inventory was evaluated. The inventory's primary factors were reproduced in the studies, although the masculine scale was somewhat less invariant than was the feminine counterpart. (SLD)

Defines meta-analysis as statistical procedures for combining results from previous separate studies. Discusses four charges promoted by some skeptics as it relates to this statistical procedure. States that many of the trends making a place for meta-analysis are disturbing. (RT)

An overview of meta-analysis in education is provided. Methodology is discussed and substantive findings from meta-analytic studies are reviewed for six major areas of educational research: (1) instructional systems; (2) instructional design; (3) curricular innovation; (4) teacher education and evaluation; (5) class and school organization; and…

Demonstrates that magnitude-of-effects (ME) estimates vary in susceptibility to sample-size bias depending on whether they are directional or nondirectional estimates. Also demonstrates that study characteristics that influence size of ME estimates can be explicitly taken into account when comparing studies. Emphasizes need to consider study…

The article defines the component skills required to learn effectively from pictures, and reviews research on the development of those skills with developmentally disabled individuals. (Author/DB)