Meta-analysis, a statistical method for combining quantitative findings from several studies addressing the same research problem, follows basic integrative research review procedures. Researchers must complete 11 specific, sequential steps, including selecting the type of meta-analysis, indicating the common research hypothesis, identifying…

Subjected 48 quantitative peer assessment studies that compared peer and teacher marks to meta-analysis. Peer assessments were found to resemble teacher assessments more closely when global judgments based on well understood criteria were used rather than when marking involved assessing several individual dimensions. (Author/SLD)

The National Reading Panel admits its evaluation report on phonics is seriously flawed as to organization, methodology, appropriateness of research base, generalizability of results, reliability, validity, and accuracy of data reported. However, an influential public-relations machine is promoting the study's favorable results as unvarnished…

Details meta-analysis of 58 intervention studies related to higher-order processing (i.e., problem solving) for adolescents with learning disabilities. Discusses factors that increased effect sizes: (1) measures of metacognition and text understanding; (2) instruction including advanced organizers, new skills, and extended practice; and (3)…

Discusses issues inherent in two meta-analyses of instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities conducted by Elbaum and Vaughn, and Swanson. Notes the value of these studies to the field of education, and summarizes important findings. (JPB)

The results of a meta-analysis that found that rewards do not threaten intrinsic motivation have not been well accepted by those who argue rewards produce negative effects under a wide range of conditions. Nevertheless, the results and conclusions of the meta-analysis are held to be valid. (SLD)

A meta-analysis of 53 studies on social skills training of children with learning disabilities found a mean effect size of only 0.211, with few differences among teachers, peers, or children themselves who judged the effectiveness of the training. Discussion focuses on possible links between learning disabilities and social skills that might…

Analyzed findings from studies conducted from 1960-97 regarding the effects of school sexuality education on adolescents' sexual knowledge. The meta-analysis included 67 studies. The studies reported 72 outcomes regarding sexual knowledge, which were grouped into six variables related to sexuality knowledge. Results indicated that school-based…

Reviews all randomized controlled trials of the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on spelling. Suggests that the teaching of spelling by using computer software may be as effective as conventional teaching of spelling, although the possibility of computer-taught spelling being inferior or superior cannot be…

Draws on meta-analyses to examine developmental trends in peer conflict resolution. Finds that peer conflict resolutions were most likely to involve negotiation, with coercion and then disengagement being the next most likely strategies. Patterns of conflict resolution varied as a function of age, peer relationships, assessment procedures, and…

Analyzes five studies on the effects of extra examination time for students with learning disabilities. These studies directly tested the Maximum Potential Thesis, but show only weak support for it. Discusses some methodological problems that weaken these studies. (SLD)

A review of 39 studies indicates that achievement-test scores decline over summer vacation. Meta-analysis results from combining the 13 most recent studies indicate that the summer loss equals about one month on a grade-level equivalent scale. Discusses implications for school calendar changes. Contains 68 references. (SLD)

Used meta-analytic procedures from 51 studies worldwide to assess the reliability of two self-report measures (Parent Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire and Personality Assessment Questionnaire) which test the transcultural association between perceived parental acceptance/rejection and psychological adjustment. Both were found reliable for use…

This article reviews recent empirical investigations of imagination or mental practice in highly cognitive, realistic educational domains such as mathematics or learning computer applications. While mental practice has been a standard tool in training schedules devised by sports psychologists for several decades, with its efficacy studied…

There are several studies showing that working memory and intelligence are strongly related. However, working memory tasks require simultaneous processing and storage, so the causes of their relationship with intelligence are currently a matter of discussion. The present study examined the simultaneous relationships among short-term memory (STM),…