This paper identifies predictor variables for physics achievement in Nigerian high schools. Nine student variables (age, gender, home language, word knowledge, interest in physics, study habits, attitude, mathematical ability, and test anxiety) accounted for 63 percent of the total variance. Mathematical ability appeared to be the best predictor.…

Bayesian and empirical Bayes approaches to shrinkage estimation of regression coefficients and uses of these in prediction (i.e., analyzing intelligence test data of children with learning problems) are investigated. The two methods are consistently better at predicting response variables than are either least squares or least absolute deviations.…

This study compared 56 early and nonearly readers (matched individually on sex, age, and preschool and kindergarten attended) in terms of their language concepts and skills, as well as their reading achievement, in kindergarten through second grade. The early readers were found superior to nonearly readers on preschool measures of general language…

Examined whether early adolescent females' school grades, educational aspirations, educational expectations, and the discrepancy between aspirations and expectations could be predicted by maternal depressive symptoms in 44 mother-daughter dyads. Found that for only the single-mother and daughter subsample, depression scores predicted daughters'…

Multiple problem behaviors, stress, and personal resources were assessed over 2 years among 136 mainly black and Hispanic gay and bisexual males, age 14 to 19 years. Problem behaviors were found to be stable over time; the pattern of change in one behavior problem was not related to patterns of change in other problem behaviors. (MDM)

Presents a model that suggests the cognitive style and personality traits that are likely to affect programming stages and empirically investigates 1 portion of that model with 192 college students. Correlations between results from the Group Embedded Figures Test and design and coding tasks are discussed. (LRW)

An analysis of 47 nursing research studies from 1981-90 related to predicting student success was conducted. Grade point average in nursing and science courses was the greatest cognitive predictor, parental education and age the greatest demographic predictors. Meta-analysis of four studies showed the significant effectiveness of interventions…

Surveys of heterosexual college students assessed gender differences in barriers to condom use. Data analysis revealed similar barrier factor structures, though the barriers explained more of the variance in condom use among women than men. Low perceived need was the best predictor of category of condom use for both sexes. (SM)

Describes a study of undergraduates that compared the effectiveness of three instructional delivery systems: printed materials, a computer-based multimedia program, and a multimedia modified intelligent tutoring system. Research variables are discussed, and the effect of repetition of instructional testing material is explored. (Contains 24…

A 3-year study of 203 nondrinking seventh and eighth graders found that 52% had becomes drinkers by tenth or eleventh grade, and that 28% reported getting drunk at least 2 to 4 times per year. The study also found that adolescent attitudes toward alcohol were significant predictors of alcohol use and abuse. (MDM)

Pregnant women completed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, and protective service records were reviewed three years later. Of 459 women, 29 had maltreated their children. Neglectful mothers had lower scores on self-esteem, moral self-worth, and personal and social adequacy than nonreported mothers. Both neglectful and physically abusive mothers…

A study of 200 medical students' records at Albany Medical College (New York) found that quantity of science-based undergraduate premedical education, either in its entirety or in subdivisions (specific subjects), did not materially affect performance in preclinical years of medical school. (Author/MSE)

Assessed relationships between early temperament and behavior problems in a longitudinal study of 850 children from age 3 to 15. Temperament dimensions at ages 3 and 5 were correlated in theoretically coherent ways with behavior problems that were independently evaluated by parents and teachers at ages 9 and 11 and by parents as ages 13 and 15.…

Comparison of 72 middle and 72 low socioeconomic status (SES) families of infants with developmental disabilities, on measures of maternal stress and infant development, found that regression analyses predicted 81% of the variance in later developmental level from initial Bayley Mental Age, initial Mental Development Index, SES, initial maternal…

Analysis of studies on predictors of people's attitudes toward gifted education reveals that about 50 variables have been examined as potential sources of differences, but not a single variable emerges as a substantial explanatory factor. Major methodological problems in the studies are identified and proposals for future research are offered.…