Similarity of learning styles of students and a teacher in achievement in a research methods course

This study investigated whether students with learning styles similar to those of their instructor tended to have higher achievement than students who did not. Participants were 137 graduate students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, enrolled in an educational research methodology course. Analysis indicated that students who were most similar in learning style to their instructor with respect to persistence orientation, peer orientation, auditory preference, and multiple perceptual preferences tended to obtain higher scores on (1) evaluating research articles, (2) writing research proposals, and (3) conceptual knowledge. Recommendations for research include investigating the bases for such relationships.