Presents Checkland's soft systems methodology, discusses it in terms of the systems approach, and illustrates how it was used to relate evidence of user survey to practical problems of library management. Difficulties in using methodology are described and implications for library management and information science research are presented. (8…

This study examined microcomputer use by individual students and groups of two, three, and five seventh- and eighth-grade students to discover any relationship existing between group size and achievement of a correct problem solution, and whether there is a relationship between group size and time to solution. (MBR)

Presents results of five experiments on human information-seeking behavior in different online information-seeking environments which studied search strategies and assessed information value in realistic search environments. A conceptual model of how humans value information is presented. Empirical and modeling results are considered for…

Discussed are the limitations of teaching general problem-solving strategies and techniques and their relationship to transfer of learning. The lack of evidence for effective teaching strategies, curriculum reform ramifications, and alternative teaching techniques are considered. (KR)

This article describes the process used by the Educational Foundations Department at Georgia State University in developing computer-assisted instruction (CAI) modules in the areas of statistics and research methods. Courses taken by graduate students who assist faculty members in developing these modules are described. (Author)

Analyzed was the performance of students on numerical versus conceptual chemistry problems in their freshman general chemistry course and their sophomore organic chemistry course. Data indicated that the ability to solve a problem did not necessarily imply an understanding of the concepts involved. (CW)

Investigated was the effect of presenting arithmetic word problems in the students' native language or in English on Nigerian students mathematics skills and strategies. Findings indicated that both private and public school students performed better when the word problems were presented in their native language. (CW)

Describes study of high school students that was conducted to determine whether instruction in a second programing language helps produce transfer of problem solving skills. The six dependent variables used in the study are discussed; pretests and posttests are described; and suggestions are made for further research. (36 references) (Author/LRW)

Discusses problem-solving strategies and the successful strategy used to solve stoichiometric problems in general college chemistry courses. Reports that rereading problems, recalling a related concept, and reasoning deductively/inductively are the most heavily used strategies among 13 categories. (YP)

Describes a computer program under development that is to be used as a tool for theory builders, teachers, and students in language learning. This is an interactive program and not only helps the learning of a language but also provides analysis on how language is learned. Questions if computers learn. (GG)

This study reports the preferences students expressed in regard to problem-solving modes for resolving environmental problems. There were many differences between students at different grades and between girls and boys. Implications for teaching are suggested. (YP)

Reports on a study of the relationships between assertiveness and cooperativeness dimensions of conflict styles among 202 graduate business students. Finds that preferences for assertiveness are reflected in both strategic and tactical use of behaviors. Also finds cooperativeness is associated with last-choice behaviors. (CFR)

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of history strategy instruction that emphasized problem-solution-effect analysis and linkage of knowledge, in teaching 24 junior high students with behavior disorders. Instruction included a scripted curriculum, student note taking, construction of timelines, vocabulary definitions, and reciprocal…

High school students (n=295) were administered variants of the student-professor problem to ascertain whether errors could be traced to implicit versus explicit relationships between the variables. Concludes that implicit variable relationship problems were harder than explicit variable relationship problems. A follow-up study to explore why is…

Reacts to Ohlsson, Ernst, and Rees' paper by initially discussing the costs of methodology that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to model cognitive processes. Raises three concerns with the paper: insufficient clarification of the meaning of conceptual versus procedural understanding of base-10 subtraction; realism of the learning model; and…