A Review of the Research and Literature on the Chemical Education Materials Study Project. Research Review Series--Science Paper 4.

The CHEM Study literature reviewed consists of (1) the "subjective" literature, as evidenced by project newsletters, position papers, and open sources and (2) the "objective" literature, which consists of research studies related to CHEM Study. The "subjective" literature provides many suggestions regarding the use of the CHEM Study materials, the kinds of learning outcomes to be expected, and the differences in instructional procedures between conventional chemistry teaching and CHEM Study teaching. The reviewer points out the lack of research into some of these aspects. Instead, most research has been directed at (1) comparing student outcomes from the CHEM Study course and those from some other chemistry course, (2) investigating cognitive processes of students in CHEM Study classes, and (3) investigating the effect of CHEM Study content on students without using a pre-post test design. The areas which the reviewer suggests need research include that of determining (1) how the CHEM Study materials may best enhance student outcomes, (2) how closely the objectives of the course are actually achieved in the classroom, (3) which students, and teachers are best suited to the CHEM Study program. An extensive bibliography of CHEM Study references is included. (LC)