Noelle Chun brought to my attention an article in Science Daily about a research report published in December in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence is the work of four researchers (Pasher, McDaniel, Rohrer, and Bjork). From the abstract:
We conclude therefore, that at present, there is no adequate evidence base to justify incorporating learning-styles assessments into general educational practice. Thus, limited education resources would better be devoted to adopting other educational practices that have a strong evidence base, of which there are an increasing number. However, given the lack of methodologically sound studies of learning styles, it would be an error to conclude that all possible versions of learning styles have been tested and found wanting; many have simply not been tested at all. Further research on the use of learning-styles assessment in instruction may in some cases be warranted, but such research needs to be performed appropriately.
Additionally, Peter Smith wrote about it here concluding that “the content should determine the means of teaching.” (JC)
Original study: Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2009). Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105-119.
Education: Learning Styles Debunked | Science Daily | 17 December 2009
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Coffield et al in the UK did a large study that was critical of the use of ‘learning style tests’ quite a while back. I have added the link to his research report: https://crm.lsnlearning.org.uk/user/order.aspx?code=041543