A meta-analysis of 268 studies suggested a deficit in subjects with mental retardation (compared to controls without mental retardation) across 12 categories of learning tasks, a relative deficit which remained, after training, across 7 categories of strategies. When strategy training was evaluated, the effect size was 0.701, which compares…

Used meta-analysis to synthesize results of 24 studies (based on 20 distinct data sets) relating quality of working alliance (WA) to therapy outcome. Found moderate but reliable association between good WA and positive therapy outcome. WA quality was most predictive of treatment outcomes based on clients' assessments, less so of therapists'…

Conducted meta-analysis of studies examining student financial aid and persistence relationship to determine whether financial aid promotes student persistence in higher education. Found financial aid was important factor affecting persistence and promoting persistence among minority groups, with the dollar amount having significant positive…

Investigates the proposed left hemisphere dysfunction in dyslexia by reviewing four studies using regional cerebral blood flow (RCBF) and combined auditory evoked responses with positron emission tomography. Emphasizes methodological issues. Finds that dyslexics showed a positive correlation between Heschl's gyrus activation and phonemic…

Employs a systems perspective to assess progress in incorporating the concept of feedback into a coherent theory of communication in social interaction. Assesses fundamental differences between definitions of feedback as an object and as a process. Identifies conceptual, theoretical, and empirical treatments associated with those definitions.…

Highlights the old but important debate about the difference between statistical significance and the practical or educational value of research findings. Argues for proper reporting of quantitative research using meta-analysis methods developed in the 1970s. Contains 53 references. (DDR)

Cyclic fluctuations in juvenile justice policy and their relationship to policy, practice, and youth crime are examined. This analysis suggests that overall crime rates are independent of prevailing juvenile justice policies. These findings support targeted prevention efforts including policy reforms, public education efforts, and social practice…

Conducted meta-analysis of experiments comparing duration judgments of children, adolescents, and adults. Found that children made larger verbal estimates, comparable productions, shorter reproductions of durations, and more variable judgments than did older participants. Concluded that explanations are needed for children's inaccurately learned…

Compares the effectiveness of educational interventions conducted in classroom and nontraditional settings in improving environmental behavior. Classroom interventions improved environmental behavior more effectively than interventions in nontraditional settings. (Author/CCM)

A synthesis of eight studies, involving 442 students, that examined the perceptions of students with learning disabilities concerning their educational settings resulted in five overall findings, including (1) most students preferred to receive specialized instruction outside of the general education classroom for part of the school day and (2)…

The Cognitive Training for Children (CTC) (K. Klauer, 1989) is a program that teaches thinking strategies that increase inductive reasoning. This study reviews 17 studies of the effectiveness of the CTC through a qualitative meta-analysis. Results suggest that it is neither better nor worse than available rival cognitive training programs. (SLD)

Presents analysis of 13 studies designed to teach students with learning disabilities to write better expository or narrative text. Notes the success of these interventions, and details three components for any comprehensive instructional program: instruction in writing process, critical dimensions of different writing genres, and structures for…

Discusses issues inherent in two meta-analyses of instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities conducted by Gersten and Baker, and MacArthur et al. Issues include word recognition, technology and text comprehension, electronic enhancements, technology and writing, insufficiency of writing intervention research, and inclusion…

The conclusion of J. Cameron and W. D. Pierce that rewards do not pose a threat to intrinsic motivation (1994) is a misrepresentation of the literature based on a flawed meta-analysis. Their analysis is more an attempt to defend behaviorist turf rather than meaningful consideration of relevant data and issues. (Author/SLD)

Evaluation of two meta-analyses of sociometric research on children with learning disabilities notes differences in their findings. Differences are attributed to effects of gender, ethnicity, and type of measurement on effect size; inadequate reporting of coding reliability; failure to include similar articles for analysis; and poor…