A study extends recent research on college-faculty research productivity by examining the relationship between research productivity and institutional factors, drawing on recent National Research Council data on research universities and their programs in four broad fields: biological sciences, engineering, physical sciences and mathematics, and…

The increasing loss of biological diversity, resulting from the loss of genetic diversity, the extinction of species, and the destruction of ecosystems, constitutes a crisis of global proportions. The resources being committed to its resolution are relatively small. This document summarizes a survey of U.S.-based organizations involved in…

Misconceptions are systematic, intelligently conceived, and quite reasonable theories that have been constructed on the basis of experience. Research studies on misconceptions have indicated that students develop intelligently conceived and sophisticated concepts of science. Although some of these are compatible with the principles of modern…

This set of nine papers on special library concerns includes papers presented by participants from Canada, Denmark, East Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Papers are entitled: "The Needs of the Special Librarian and the Library Association," by Miriam H. Tees; "Position and Development of Special Libraries within…

The relative percentages of males and females in illustrations were identified in a select sample of children's science trade books. The books chosen for analysis were the "Outstanding Trade Books for Children 1979." These books were selected as outstanding children's science trade books mainly for grades K-8 and were evaluated by a…

This study provides information about the biology and life science classroom teaching environments in Southern Alberta. Responses (N=53) to questionnaires sent to junior and senior high school teachers in rural and urban settings revealed information regarding school facilities, texts and reference materials, field trips, outdoor education…

Questionnaires were sent to all of the medical, dental, veterinary, and public health schools in the United States and to selected degree-granting U.S. schools of nursing, medical technology, and pharmacy. The data collected included type of biological prerequisites for each school and role of preparatory courses in the admissions policy. A…

The extent to which grades 3-7 students (N=424) hold animistic notions and the meanings of these notions were evaluated. A classification test composed of 16 pictures (8 living and 8 inanimate objects) and a questionnaire were used. Ninety-nine percent classified animals, 80 percent classified plants, and 56 percent classified embryos as living.…

Reports on a four-year study of use patterns of CD-ROM databases in a biological sciences library. More than half the individuals recorded all use within one month. Over a third recorded use on only one day. Results suggest that the library should emphasize point-of-use instruction for first-time searchers and deemphasize workshops. (Contains 11…

This study used qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the effects on students' learning, motivation, attitude, participation, and critical thinking when prediction activities were used in teaching genetic concepts in high school biology. The prediction activities enhanced students' critical analysis, interest, and participation.…

The UK Government's recent emphasis on the graduate workforce raises the profile of work placements within higher education. Anecdotally, the authors find that students on their optional bioscience sandwich degrees benefit academically from placement experience but there is little supportive evidence of this in the literature. To investigate…

This study examines how academic assertiveness in junior high school students affects conceptual change and the degree to which their assertiveness affects the conceptual change of partners paired with them for a series of activities using a computer simulation of the human cardiovascular system. The sample was a group of 90 eighth-grade students…

The use of computers to facilitate learning is yet to make an appreciable in-road into the teaching-learning process in most developing Third World countries. The purchase cost and maintenance expenses of the equipment are the major inhibiting factors related to adoption of this high technology in these countries. This study investigated: (1) the…

Historically, few women pursue studies or careers in science. In an effort to determine factors that relate to a scientific career choice, this research examines differences between sexes and among majors in 180 males and females in biological, physical science, and nonscience college majors. Nonscience majors mostly included female language…

Investigated male/female sixth-formers studying physical and biological science A-level courses, examining cognitive style, convergent/divergent thinking, career plans, and other characteristics. Differences between biology/physics students tend to be of the same kind as those between scientists as a whole compared to nonscientists. (JN)