{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "topic_id": "memory",
  "topic_title": "Memory",
  "domain_id": "learning-thinking",
  "domain_title": "Learning & Thinking",
  "ontology_status": "active",
  "baseline_status": "growth-gap",
  "question": "Which learning practices improve durable memory, and how should Brali separate retention from transfer and application?",
  "evidence_target": "Prefer meta-analyses and classroom/field studies that distinguish direct retention, forward effects, and application outcomes.",
  "guardrail": "Do not collapse remembering, learning later material, and skill application into one testing-effect claim.",
  "stage": "resolved",
  "stage_label": "Resolved",
  "stage_summary": "Reviewed evidence has been translated into trusted Topic coverage and explicitly closed.",
  "canonical_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/research/gaps/memory/",
  "research_queries": [
    {
      "id": "learning-retrieval-practice",
      "query": "retrieval practice spaced practice learning meta analysis education",
      "risk_flags": []
    },
    {
      "id": "learning-pretesting",
      "query": "pretesting guessing feedback errorful generation vocabulary learning randomized experiment meta analysis",
      "risk_flags": []
    },
    {
      "id": "learning-consolidation-rest",
      "query": "wakeful rest post learning memory consolidation meta analysis",
      "risk_flags": []
    }
  ],
  "candidates": [
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1007/s00426-026-02265-x",
      "title": "Wakeful rest and memory consolidation in an ecologically valid educational setting: no benefit over distractor tasks",
      "status": "challenge-existing",
      "publication_date": "2026-02-26",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-026-02265-x"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1007/s10648-025-10001-x",
      "title": "Enhancing Academic Performance Through Self-Explanation in Digital Learning Environments (DLEs): A Three-Level Meta-Analysis",
      "status": "propose-protocol",
      "publication_date": "2025-03-08",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10001-x"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1007/s10648-025-10075-7",
      "title": "The Effect of Prequestions on Learning: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis",
      "status": "propose-protocol",
      "publication_date": "2025-12-10",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10075-7"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2026.102377",
      "title": "Mixed effects of retrieval practice on the acquisition of procedural knowledge in verb spelling education",
      "status": "challenge-existing",
      "publication_date": "2026-08-01",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2026.102377"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354",
      "title": "Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis",
      "status": "support-existing",
      "publication_date": "2006-05-01",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1037/a0037559",
      "title": "The effect of testing versus restudy on retention: a meta-analytic review of the testing effect",
      "status": "support-existing",
      "publication_date": "2014-08-25",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037559"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1037/xlm0001634",
      "title": "Research on the testing effect routinely conflates direct and forward testing effects: A meta-analysis of testing effects with free recall",
      "status": "challenge-existing",
      "publication_date": "2026-06-08",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0001634"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.1186/s41235-026-00708-y",
      "title": "Duolingo-inspired pretesting with words and pictures improves vocabulary learning",
      "status": "propose-protocol",
      "publication_date": "2026-03-06",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-026-00708-y"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossref:10.3758/s13423-025-02778-3",
      "title": "Should we all just take 10? A meta-analysis of wakeful rest",
      "status": "propose-protocol",
      "publication_date": "2026-01-15",
      "reference_url": "https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-025-02778-3"
    }
  ],
  "evidence_decisions": [
    {
      "id": "distributed-practice-verbal-recall-boundary-2006",
      "decision": "support-existing",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-08-22",
      "source_title": "Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/distributed-practice-verbal-recall-boundary-2006/"
    },
    {
      "id": "prequestions-targeted-learning-boundary-2025",
      "decision": "propose-protocol",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-09-15",
      "source_title": "The Effect of Prequestions on Learning: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/prequestions-targeted-learning-boundary-2025/"
    },
    {
      "id": "retrieval-procedural-application-2026",
      "decision": "challenge-existing",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-08-18",
      "source_title": "Mixed effects of retrieval practice on the acquisition of procedural knowledge in verb spelling education",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/retrieval-procedural-application-2026/"
    },
    {
      "id": "self-explanation-digital-learning-boundary-2025",
      "decision": "propose-protocol",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-09-15",
      "source_title": "Enhancing Academic Performance Through Self-Explanation in Digital Learning Environments (DLEs): A Three-Level Meta-Analysis",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/self-explanation-digital-learning-boundary-2025/"
    },
    {
      "id": "testing-effect-direct-forward-2026",
      "decision": "challenge-existing",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-08-18",
      "source_title": "Research on the testing effect routinely conflates direct and forward testing effects: A meta-analysis of testing effects with free recall",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/testing-effect-direct-forward-2026/"
    },
    {
      "id": "testing-versus-restudy-retention-boundary-2014",
      "decision": "support-existing",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-08-22",
      "source_title": "The effect of testing versus restudy on retention: a meta-analytic review of the testing effect",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/testing-versus-restudy-retention-boundary-2014/"
    },
    {
      "id": "vocabulary-pretesting-guess-feedback-boundary-2026",
      "decision": "propose-protocol",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-09-02",
      "source_title": "Duolingo-inspired pretesting with words and pictures improves vocabulary learning",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/vocabulary-pretesting-guess-feedback-boundary-2026/"
    },
    {
      "id": "wakeful-rest-complex-learning-challenge-2026",
      "decision": "challenge-existing",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-08-28",
      "source_title": "Wakeful rest and memory consolidation in an ecologically valid educational setting: no benefit over distractor tasks",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/wakeful-rest-complex-learning-challenge-2026/"
    },
    {
      "id": "wakeful-rest-memory-2026",
      "decision": "propose-protocol",
      "reviewed_at": "2026-08-18",
      "source_title": "Should we all just take 10? A meta-analysis of wakeful rest",
      "ledger_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/wakeful-rest-memory-2026/"
    }
  ],
  "trusted_protocols": [
    {
      "slug": "active-recall-test-yourself",
      "title": "Active Recall: Close the Notes and Make Memory Work",
      "url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/life-os/active-recall-test-yourself/",
      "evidence_status": "reviewed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "prequestions-before-learning",
      "title": "Ask a Few Questions Before You Start Learning",
      "url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/life-os/prequestions-before-learning/",
      "evidence_status": "reviewed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "ai-learning-attempt-feedback-retest",
      "title": "Attempt First, Use AI for Feedback, Retest Without It",
      "url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/life-os/ai-learning-attempt-feedback-retest/",
      "evidence_status": "reviewed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "self-explain-what-you-learn",
      "title": "Explain What You Just Learned in Your Own Words",
      "url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/life-os/self-explain-what-you-learn/",
      "evidence_status": "reviewed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "spaced-recall-coach",
      "title": "Separate Review Sessions Instead of Cramming",
      "url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/life-os/spaced-recall-coach/",
      "evidence_status": "reviewed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "avoid-list-interference-memory-retention",
      "title": "Try Quiet Wakeful Rest After Learning",
      "url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/life-os/avoid-list-interference-memory-retention/",
      "evidence_status": "reviewed"
    }
  ],
  "resolution": {
    "topic_id": "memory",
    "status": "closed",
    "resolved_at": "2026-08-20",
    "resolved_by": "Brali editorial agent",
    "evidence_decision_ids": [
      "wakeful-rest-memory-2026",
      "testing-effect-direct-forward-2026",
      "retrieval-procedural-application-2026"
    ],
    "protocol_slugs": [
      "avoid-list-interference-memory-retention",
      "active-recall-test-yourself"
    ],
    "rationale": "Memory moved from an ontology growth gap to active coverage after Brali reviewed current evidence on wakeful rest and retrieval practice, narrowed unsupported transfer claims, and published trusted protocols that preserve those evidence boundaries."
  },
  "coverage": {
    "id": "memory",
    "title": "Memory",
    "domain_id": "learning-thinking",
    "status": "active",
    "entries": 7,
    "research_candidates": 9
  }
}