The purpose of this study was to assess empirically software from Krell's 1981/82 SAT preparatory series purported to raise students' scores substantially after only short-term CAI. The latter involved individualized student use of Apple IIe microcomputers in a controlled setting. These students were forty-eight college-bound juniors from Escambia County (Florida) who were assigned as Experimentals and Controls such that two stochastically equated groups reflecting matched pairs resulted. / A two-phased, pre- and post-test design was used. Phase I involved: (1) pre-testing with: (a) the SAT, (b) the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, and (c) the Witkin Group Embedded Figures Test; (2) fifteen hours of CAI with the Experimentals; and (3) post-testing with the SAT for outcome measures and baseline comparison scores. Phase II involved: (1) fifteen hours of CAI with the Controls, and (2) a second post-testing of both groups. The latter provided a 28-day retention measure for the Experimentals and Phase I replicated outcome scores for the Controls. Additionally, a student questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data in re: (a) gender, (b) number of siblings, (c) educational level of parents, (d) occupational status of parents, (e) family income, (f) G.P.A., and (g) proposed college major. / Data analyses utilized nonparametric statistics in testing ten hypotheses. With one partial exception, all were accepted in the null form. On the whole, post-CAI group mean SAT score gains were modest and deemed to be of limited practical consequence. These findings are consistent with previous reports of SAT coaching efforts cited in the literature. Recommendations suggesting caution and scrutiny relative to publishers' claims of product effectiveness are offered. Further research is encouraged, particularly as related to individual student score gains and the development of a predictive profile. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-06, Section: A, page: 1603. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75589 |
| Contributors | DAVIS, WESLEY D., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 104 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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