Scientific investigation begins with the null hypothesis which states that there is no relationship between sets of phenomena or sets of variables. This hypothesis is based on the philosophical and physical principle that there is a tendency toward disorder in the universe. This is also commonly referred to as the law of entropy. In order to…

This article points out the flaws inherent in the hypothetico-deductive formulation of inquiry. (CD)

This study investigated the relationship between internal and external locus of control in subjects in a verbal learning experiment. As hypothesized, the lack of freedom of choice was associated with decreased recall in internals. Being able to choose material lead to faster learning for both internals and externals. (Editor/RK)

Investigates the extent of understanding of the logic of hypothesis testing by high school students, and whether this understanding is related to scholastic achievement or ability as measured by standardized tests. (Author/GA)

This research compares the effectiveness in fostering the development of concept formation skills, of exposure for periods ranging from three to six years to two different methods of teaching mathematics to primary school children, one method (Z. P. Dienes) of the general "discovery" type, the other (H. Fletcher) of the…

The decisive power of an experiment, for both social evaluation research and laboratory experimentation as well, is only as strong as the clarity of the basic assumptions which underlie it. A dialectical methodology is proposed for assessing the influence of key assumptions in both settings. (Author/CTM)

A sample of 278 students enrolled in an introductory statistics course was used to determine which of a set of cognitive and affective variables correlate with course performance. It is suggested that individual diagnostic profiles are useful in establishing prescriptive treatments designed to help students likely to experience difficulty in…

What do parents think is being taught and what do they think should be taught? Here is the results of a survey taken in 1977 to determine how parents assessed educational goals in the Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) public schools. (Editor/RK)

A series of 13 experiments employing mice systematically investigated shock-elicited activity in a circular field and escape performance in a shuttle box following exposure to either escapable or inescapable shock. Results show that escape interference induced by inescapable shock may be comfortably interpreted in terms of a decreased tendency for…

Predicts that children with an external locus of control orientation will estimate a self-imposed delay interval to be longer than will children with an internal locus of control orientation, while externals will estimate an externally imposed delay to be shorter than will internals. Discusses the implications of the research findings for an…

The relationship between cognitive style and hypothesis-testing behavior was studied in 46 third grade children. It was found that field independent children process information more efficiently and according to a perfect focusing model. Efforts to enhance the information processing of field dependent children were described. (GDC)

Eighty-one students were asked to read an article under different conditions of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. The qualitative differences in learning process and outcomes and the quantitative differences in recall of factual knowledge were investigated in relation to the various experimental subgroups created. (Editor/RK)

Two studies were conducted to test the universality of Piaget's and Kohlberg's stages of development of moral judgment in Nigerian and Pakistani cultures. Results show that the moral reasoning of Nigerian and Pakistani Muslim adolescents are greatly affected by their cultural values. (Editor/RK)

This study examines the claim that cognitive preferences in science are no more than expressions of levels of cognitive operation as described by Bloom's Taxonomy. 667 twelfth grade students of chemistry and 989 twelfth grade biology students took a cognitive preference and an achievement test in their respective disciplines. The limitations of…

This research was designed to demonstrate that one function of aggression is the restoration of power. Also investigates the effects of timing of aggression on the intensity of aggression. (Editor/RK)