The National Science Foundation funded a project to: (1) identify major areas of science education research in which sufficient studies have been conducted to permit useful generalizations for educational practice; (2) conduct meta-analyses of each of these areas; and (3) prepare a compendium of these meta-analyses along with interpretative and integrative statements. This report constitutes volume I of the compendium. Four separate studies are reported following introductory comments on the project. These studies and authors are: (1) "The Effects of New Science Curricula on Student Performance" (James A. Shymansky, William C. Kyle, Jr. and Jennifer M. Alport); (2) "Instructional Systems in Science Education" (John B. Willett and June J. M. Yamashita); (3)"The Effects of Various Science Teaching Strategies on Achievement" (Keven C. Wise and James R. Okey); and (4) "The Effect of Inquiry Teaching and Advance Organizers upon Student Outcomes in Science" (Gerald W. Lott). Each study includes a separate table of contents, purpose, methodology, results, conclusions, and supporting documentation. (Author/JN)