Expanded abstracts and critical analyses are given for each of 14 research articles. Studies on instructional strategies or methods are reported in five reviews; three report studies concerned with concept attainment; three review studies in measurement of cognitive abilities; one study is on the effect of a laboratory for college freshman math…

Reviews research on the storage and retrieval processes of memory and describes an information processing learning theory capable of interpreting the findings. Prescriptive aspects of the theory are applied to the problem of designing textual materials to enhance learning and retention, and a framework to stimulate future research is provided.…

This article supports the learning theory and intellectual development model of Jean Piaget as a theory base for science education. (Author/MK)

Reviews recent research addressing the problem of matching students' cognitive levels to science textbooks. Suggests that most texts are written above the level of the students for whom they are written. Promotes experiential learning at the middle level and concentration on "right thinking" rather than on "right answers." (CW)

Examines 11 elementary science texts in terms of conceptual structure and reasoning demands using concept maps. Reports that (1) the conceptual structures vary widely across texts; (2) most of the structures are well defined; and (3) the reasoning demands are above the developmental capabilities of most of primary-level children. (Author/YP)

Reports on misconceptions held by intermediate grade students concerning chemistry textbook concepts, on the relation of reasoning ability to those misconceptions, and on the extent that textbooks encourage misconceptions. Concludes that the level of understanding displayed for the selected concepts, in combination with the nature of students'…

To determine the general characteristics of beginning reading materials, to establish categories in regard to concepts and the instruction of concepts, and to search for a common framework among concepts, a study surveyed six popular, widely promoted basal series which had been copyrighted within the past 5 years. For each lesson, the stated…

Investigated is a reader's ability to comprehend written text that is highly novel with few semantic cues. The theoretical perspective, assessment theory, materials and methods, and the results of this study are discussed. (KR)