'magnifying glass' photo (c) 2005, Tall Chris - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

I often write about research studies from various fields and how they can be applied to the classroom. I write individual posts about ones that I think are especially significant, and will continue to do so. However, so many studies are published that it’s hard to keep up. So I’ve started writing a “round-up” of some of them each week or every other week as a regular feature.

By the way, you might also be interested in My Best Posts On New Research Studies In 2013.

Here are some new useful studies (and related resources):

What Relationships Mean in Educating Boys is an Ed Week report on two studies finding that the relationship between a teacher and a young male student is particularly important in creating positive learning experiences. I’m adding it to The Best Resources On The Importance Of Building Positive Relationships With Students.

How to Train Your Mind to Think Critically and Form Your Own Opinions is from LifeHacker, and reviews a number of studies. I’m adding it to The Best Resources On Teaching & Learning Critical Thinking In The Classroom.

The Doctor Who Coaches Athletes on Sleep is an article from The Atlantic. It discusses the role of sleep in a variety of ways, including academic performance. There’s plenty of research on those areas at The Best Resources For Helping Teens Learn About The Importance Of Sleep. However, what makes this article stand-out from those others is its discussion of its impact on athletic performance. That info could be very useful with student athletes who might not be as concerned about its other effects.

Coming up with explanations helps children develop cause-and-effect thinking skills is a report from Science Daily on a new study. I’m adding it to The Best Posts On Metacognition.

Your brain is like a muscle: use it and make it strong is an article from a new site called Frontiers. It appears to have articles by neuroscientists that are edited by kids. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Showing Students That They Make Their Brain Stronger By Learning.

When it comes to classes, small is better is the title of a report on a meta-analysis. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About How Class Size Does Matter.