The advantage of explicit instruction over unassisted discovery is largest in the verbal/social skills domain¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r2 · q3 · i3 large
Currency · newest study 2011 · checked against its sources 2026-10-16 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i3 Domain moderated the unassisted-discovery deficit, Q(5) = 91.75, p < .001; the verbal/social skills effect (d = -0.95) exceeded those in math, computer skills, science, problem solving, and physical/motor skills. → Alfieri 2011

Evidence¶

Alfieri 2011¶

Alfieri, L., Brooks, P. J., Aldrich, N. J., & Tenenbaum, H. R. (2011). Does Discovery-Based Instruction Enhance Learning? Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021017

q3 · i3 · quant-synthesis · r2

Moderator analysis at the comparison level in the unassisted-discovery meta-analysis. Domain moderated effects, Q(5) = 91.75, p < .001; the verbal/social skills deficit reached d = -0.95, significantly exceeding math, computer skills, and science domains after post hoc adjustment (alpha .003).

"Post hoc comparisons indicated that the mean effect size favoring explicit conditions within the verbal/social skills domain was significantly greater than within the domains of math, Q(1) = 50.03, p < .001; computer skills, Q(1) = 58.17, p < .001; science, Q(1) = 22.65,"

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Social Awareness and Relationship Skills — moderator: an instructional effect differs with it

Related Claims¶

• Age moderates discovery-learning effects: the explicit-instruction advantage over unassisted discovery is larger for adolescents than adults, and the enhanced-discovery benefit larger for adults than children — the general claim this finding bears on, with the studies behind it

• Minimal guidance is less effective for novices than explicit instruction — the general claim this finding bears on, with the studies behind it

• Dependent measure moderates discovery effects: acquisition scores amplify the explicit-instruction advantage, and reaction-time measures reverse the enhanced-discovery advantage — related
• Enhanced discovery learning produces greater learning than other forms of instruction — related