Every experienced teacher knows that, somewhere between the ages of 11 and 16, significant numbers of students pass from a state of enthusiasm and engagement with the study of science to a state of indifference or disdain for the subject. Today a flood of new research is revealing the sheer dimensions of the engagement problem. It shows that…

Much of what is taught in the family and consumer sciences (FCS) classroom is based on scientific research. The existing knowledge base is so broad that overlooking research as a teaching resource and tool happens often. Research enhances what is taught, thereby improving the effectiveness of teachers. Whether it be applying or translating…

Improving mathematics and science education in the United States has been a matter of national concern for over half a century. Psychology has a vital role to play in this enterprise. In this article, the authors review the kinds of contributions that psychology can make in four areas: (a) early understanding of mathematics, (b) understanding of…

This article discusses the background and results of the 2007 biennial survey of the continuing education interests of science and technology librarians conducted by the Science and Technology Section (STS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). (Contains 2 tables and 7 online resources.)

This research presents an examination of student satisfaction related to online training for adult learners in the nuclear power industry. Both groups, the nuclear industry and its associated workforce, have demonstrable needs which might be met by such programs. The nuclear industry itself faces an expansion of facilities and services combined…

This qualitative study utilized the method of narrative analysis to explore the counter-learning process of an oppressed Kurdish woman from Turkey. Critical constructivism was utilized to analyze counter-learning; Frankfurt School-based Marcusian critical theory was used to analyze the sociopolitical context and its impact on the oppressed. Key…

This paper provides a framework for developing sampling designs in mixed methods research. First, we present sampling schemes that have been associated with quantitative and qualitative research. Second, we discuss sample size considerations and provide sample size recommendations for each of the major research designs for quantitative and…

We present the results of an interview study investigating student experiences in two online introductory computer science courses. Our theoretical approach is situated at the intersection of two research traditions: "distance and adult education research," which tends to be sociologically oriented, and "computer science education…

The Developmental Student Outcomes (DEVSO) Survey is one of four annual surveys that make up the British Columbia (BC) Student Outcomes project. This report presents a summary of the findings from the 2012 Developmental Student Outcomes Survey. The results included in the report were analysed by demographic characteristics and other factors. The…

Vocational education in Taiwan is highly competitive in that it must attract sufficient student enrollment in the environment with a rapidly increasing number of schools. Many students in this context tend to have lower levels of academic achievement, and do not adequately get involved in their schoolwork. Under such constraints but moving toward…

Introduction: Education in the health sciences increasingly relies on simulation-based training strategies to provide safe, structured, engaging, and effective practice opportunities. While this frequently occurs within a simulation center, in situ simulations occur within an actual clinical environment. This blending of learning and work…

John Fiske (1842-1901) was an American historian, philosopher, lecturer, and prolific author. Renowned as a popularizer of evolutionary theory, Fiske rubbed elbows with Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer. From 1872-79 he served as Assistant Librarian at Harvard University, occupied mainly with what is known today as "Technical Services," i.e.,…

In their rejoinder to our article about their work on evidence-based science education, Millar "et al." (2008) claim that we misrepresented their position, and that our argument was false or unclear in key respects. In this brief reply we argue that their criticisms are misdirected, and that they fail to engage in the sort of dialogue…

A reader of Traianou and Hammersley's article (in this issue), which discusses at some length the work we undertook in the "Evidence-based Practice in Science Education (EPSE)" Research Network, might attribute to us views that are rather different from those which we in fact hold, and which we have sought to present in our own accounts…

Facilitating successful focus groups requires both science and art. One element that can fully challenge focus group facilitators includes how to handle the unfocused focus group. This article describes "unfocus" and the benefits and disadvantages of unfocus in focus groups. Lessons learned from and approaches taken on this journey are shared to…