Results of research performed to determine whether or not newly enrolled freshman students improved after one and one-half quarters of composition instruction at Western Illinois University are presented. Using an essay-type placement test given at initial enrollment as a pre-test, 158 students were selected as the experimental group to write…

The traditional hypothesis that extreme attitudinal positions on controversial issues are likely to produce low understanding of messages on these issues--especially when the messages represent opposing views--is tested. Data for test of the hypothesis are from two field studies, each dealing with reader attitudes and decoding of one news article…

The relationship between physically and psychologically stressful experiences and the anxiety and self concept of 33 male and 11 female participants (aged 16-38 years) in a 23-day Colorado Outward Bound (OB) course was analyzed. It was hypothesized that the effects of the OB experience would: be the same for male and female participants; alter…

Describes a study designed to determine if college students' success in writing computer programs is related to level of cognitive development as described by Piaget, verbal ability, and mathematics reasoning. Regression analysis showed that level of cognitive development, when combined with verbal reasoning, is linearly predictive of programming…

Discusses relation between verbal ability and metamemory and how these two factors relate to the later recallability of material. A study is described that separated 32 children into high and average verbal ability groups, administered a metamemorial questionnaire, and tested recall one week later. (Author/LRW)

Discusses study that investigated whether or not the teaching of matched examples and nonexamples in the form of common errors could improve student performance in undergraduate music theory courses. Highlights include hypotheses tested, pretests and posttests, and suggestions for further research with different age groups. (19 references)…

A comparison of the performance of two groups of third grade students practicing division problems is used to assess the effect of a commercial computer-assisted instruction drill program on learning. The progress of the experimental group (using computers) is compared with that of a group using conventional print drill practice. (20 references)…

Discussion of conditions under which simulation games promote changes in attitudes focuses on identification theory as a predictor of attitude change. Incentive theory and cognitive dissonance theory are discussed, and a study of community college students is described that tested the role of identification in changing attitudes. (LRW)

Examines sex equality in computer literacy in Dutch secondary education using a Dutch version of the Minnesota Computer Literacy Awareness Assessment. Research on sex differences in mathematics and science education is used as a basis for testing hypotheses regarding computer literacy, and analyses of results are explained. (LRW)

This experiment used simulated production environment to examine empirically two of five management information system design assumptions Ackoff considered erroneous: managers perform better with detailed rather than summarized reports; and managers who are satisfied with needed information perform better than those who are dissatisfied and want…

The process of forming operator schemata was studied in three experiments. In each experiment a greater amount of predictive information in a stimulus item increased the chance of selecting the operator accurately.

Presents results of investigation into nature of 98 library administration doctoral dissertations produced in library science from 1928 to 1980, including number of dissertations per library school, research methodologies used, and characteristics of doctoral student advisors. Relevant literature, data gathering, and hypothesis testing are…

Describes a minicourse on experimental hypotheses. The courses which treats the investigative nature of biology as a major theme, teaches nonrigorous problem-solving and engenders the excitement of self-discovery. Manipulation of variables in relation to controls, the principles of deduction and induction, and their application to selected…

Discusses methodology and results of a study which utilized Dolf Zillmann's annoyance reduction hypotheses to test the relationship between affective states of annoyance and praise and voluntary television selection and use. Results indicate annoyed individuals viewed television significantly less than praised individuals. (Author/MBR)

This study compared the instructional effectiveness of both cued and noncued pictures and cued and noncued text; investigated whether a combination of pictorial and textual cues is the most effective strategy for low and average reading ability students; and compared average and low reading subjects using noncueing and cueing methods. (MBR)