Vanderbilt University · PsychologyMath Learning and Cognitive Training Lab
Marcia A Barnes · Nashville, Tennessee
Research Focus
Dr. Marcia A. Barnes' lab investigates innovative methods for helping children with math learning disabilities (MLDs). They focus on understanding the relationship between cognitive skills, particularly working memory, and math abilities. The lab conducts clinical trials to test new interventions that combine cognitive training with traditional math instruction, aiming to improve educational outcomes for children struggling with math.
math learning disabilitiescognitive trainingworking memoryintervention scienceclinical trialseducational psychologyacademic competencieschild developmentproblem solving
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify the effects of innovative cognitive training on math skills in children.
AIM 02Explore the bidirectional relationship between working memory and math performance.
AIM 03Assess the effectiveness of cognitive-academic mutualism theory in intervention strategies.
AIM 04Evaluate long-term impacts of treatment on academic abilities in young children.
AIM 05Investigate subgroup differences in response to math interventions.
Skills the Lab Values
cognitive assessment techniquesrandomized controlled trialseducational intervention designdata analysis in psychologystatistical software (like R or SPSS)qualitative research methodsbehavioral observationstandardized testing administrationgroup therapy techniques
Output against the department
Publications164top 45% of dept.134th of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations12ktop 24% of dept.70th of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.