What the research shows is that students who use mnemonic strategies are generally not at a disadvantage compared to students who use other strategies, such as semantic analysis or free study, when they are asked to give or infer the meaning of words a week or so after studying them. In most cases, they do better. However, some research suggests that the strategy is not as effective as other methods for long-term retention and for making the words a part of the student's working vocabulary. (For a review of the research, see Stahl & Fairbanks, 1986.)