Reviews the literature on the relationships between academic performance in higher education and motivation and study habits. (Editor/PG)

A study of the effects of variation in student preparation and leadership (emergent vs. assigned) in discussion groups found that both factors influenced verbal inactivity. The leadership effects were explained in terms of interaction-expectation theory and behavior modelling. (MSE)

Administered an adapted Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Approaches to Studying Inventory (ASI) to Open University students. Found that approaches to studying in distance education are strongly associated with students' perceptions of the academic quality of their courses. (EV)

Investigated Dutch college students' motivation to commit themselves to studying in a problem-based health sciences curriculum, expressed in terms of levels of attendance at tutorial meetings. Data on functioning of the tutorial group, tutor functioning, prior knowledge level, quality of instructional problems, time spent on individual study,…

Results of a survey of 42 college students concerning their conceptions of learning, good teaching, studying, insight and understanding, and application of knowledge are discussed. (MSE)

This paper includes a general description of the plan for investigating student work loads and gives details of the 2 studies conducted at Monash University concerning work loads in 1972. (Editor)

A study is reported that explores possible developmental differences in conceptions of learning among people with different learning experiences. The data, obtained from interviews with 90 people from 15 to 73 years old, and with 6 to 17 years of schooling, indicate distinctive differences in conceptions of learning and study methods. (Author/JMD)

Research since 1980 on gender and learning styles of students over age 18 is reviewed for commonalities in theory and research methodology. In addition, a quantitative meta-analysis was undertaken on two measures of learning style and study behavior to determine the direction and magnitude of gender differences in various samples. (Author/MSE)

The relationship between students' study processes and the structural complexity of their learning is examined. Study processes are viewed in terms of three dimensions and are assessed by a questionnaire. Learning quality is expressed in levels of a taxonomy. A study that relates taxonomic levels and retention to study processes is reported.…

Research on the application of descriptions of student learning to normal methods of studying is discussed, and a study is reported that examines student learning in actual working situations. It is concluded that learning styles and strategies apply to students in particular situations rather than to individual students per se. (Author/JMD)

Based on evaluation of an Open University independent study course used in a conventional setting at the University of Essex, this paper focuses on: the relationship of the student's choice of learning strategy with the requirements of the task; the student's ability to adapt his strategy; task restrictions; and the student's view of learning.…

Investigation of the study habits and approaches to study tasks of 34 mechanical engineering students over the course of 1 week found that use of a surface approach to learning was positively correlated with high class attendance and greater study time, suggesting an inefficient approach. The research methodology used is found useful for…

The concept of study orchestration, a contextualized approach to study skills/habits for individuals and groups of students, is discussed as it relates to college student learning. Individual differences and characteristics are considered, particularly as they are sensitive to study context and concern intervention for students at risk…

The effects of the academic environment, which is defined as the organization of curricula, teaching, and assessment on student learning, are examined. Focus is on students' perceptions of their courses and teachers in six departments at a British university, and the different demands that various environments make. (Author/JMD)

A study investigated the study approaches of students in upper-division distance-learning courses at Britain's Open University. Study approaches of upper-division students were affected by background variables and were more closely related to the avowed aims of higher education than to those found among lower-division distance-education students.…