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Learning Through Case Comparisons: A Meta-Analytic Review

Alfieri, L and Nokes-Malach, TJ and Schunn, CD (2013) Learning Through Case Comparisons: A Meta-Analytic Review. Educational Psychologist, 48 (2). 87 - 113. ISSN 0046-1520

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Abstract

Over the past 20 years, there has been much research on how people learn from case comparisons. This work has implemented comparison activities in a variety of different ways across a wide range of laboratory and classroom contexts. In an effort to assess the overall effectiveness of case comparisons across this diversity of implementation and contexts and to explore what variables might moderate learning outcomes, we conducted a meta-analysis of 57 experiments with 336 tests. Random effects analyses of the 336 tests revealed that case comparison activities commonly led to greater learning outcomes than other forms of case study including sequential, single case, and nonanalogous, as well as traditional instruction and control (d = .50), 95% CI [.44, .56]. Of 15 potential moderators, four variables were found to reliably moderate the effectiveness of case comparisons: the objective of the comparison, the presentation of a principle, the content, and the lag between the comparison and testing. Asking learners to find similarities between cases, providing principles after the comparisons, using perceptual content, and testing learners immediately are all associated with greater learning.We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of these results for cognitive theory and classroom practice. © Division 15, American Psychological Association.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Alfieri, L
Nokes-Malach, TJ
Schunn, CDschunn@pitt.eduSCHUNN0000-0003-3589-297X
Centers: Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Learning Research & Development Center
Date: 19 June 2013
Date Type: Publication
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Journal or Publication Title: Educational Psychologist
Volume: 48
Number: 2
Page Range: 87 - 113
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1080/00461520.2013.775712
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 0046-1520
Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2014 16:57
Last Modified: 02 Feb 2019 15:56
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22961

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