A Summary of Research in Science Education -- 1982.

Overview & Synopsis

The review of science education research for 1982 includes analyses of 455 studies reported in dissertation abstracts, journal articles, research papers, and papers presented at conferences. The organization of the review is topical. Topic areas include: (1) student characteristics and behavior (cognitive development, conceptual understanding, problem-solving behavior, attitudes, personal attributes, targeted audiences); (2) teacher characteristics and behavior (knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, self-perceptions, classroom and professional behavior); (3) instructional strategies and environment (instructional systems, problem-solving instruction, experiential learning, laboratory experiences, demonstrations, organizational aids to learning, emphasis on language arts during science instruction, teaching style and techniques, classroom social environment); (4) instructional materials and technology (microcomputers, textbooks, visual media); (5) curricula and programs in elementary, middle, and high school science, postsecondary education, and marine education; (6) preservice and inservice teacher education; (7) research and evaluation practices (quantitative and qualitative methodology, testing, instrumentation, and theoretical considerations); and (8) science education policy and practice. This final section reviews program status; course content; goals, guidelines, and practices; and needs and priorities for research. (JN)