Included in this examination of performance appraisal practices is an outline of the characteristics of a good system--one that is cheap to install and only requires a manager to do his/her job. (Author/IRT)

Reviews the experimental literature on pretests in terms of nine critical questions, provides guidelines for the use of pretests, and notes areas which are largely unexplored. (JEG)

There is a need for guidelines on recovered memories to support the work of professionals and provide protection for clients. This paper highlights the value added by the Canadian Psychological Association's "Guidelines for Psychologists Addressing Recovered Memories" in assisting professionals to deal with ethical issues in this area.…

Describes a methodology for structuring interviews with subject experts during knowledge elicitation, or knowledge acquisition, that will be useful to instructional designers. Topics discussed include a prototype knowledge editor, SNOWMAN (System for Knowledge Management); the nature of expertise; reductive bias; four interviewing strategies; and…

This discussion of validation procedures for learning hierarchies based on an analysis of a target skill of instruction to aid in the instructional development process indicates that there is no catalog of validated hierarchies available for this use, and that the literature provides little assistance to the developer seeking practical procedures.…

Considers the American Counseling Association's (ACA) position on noncompetition agreements between employers and employees in light of case law from other service professions. Concludes that ACA members are uninformed and available sources of information do not provide needed information. Proposes guidelines for responding to this issue.…

This research bulletin provides criteria and procedures for determining the readiness of children to enter kindergarten early. The first section of the bulletin reviews the results of a literature search conducted to delineate areas of development from which admissions criteria should be defined. The review of the literature disclosed the…

This guide is designed for anyone who wants to work together with others to improve schools. Its aim is to create a high-performing learning community that is able to meet the highest goals for every student in its care. It identifies the "bottom line" of school-improvement efforts, that is, which elements research, best practice, and theory…

Practical advice on frequently asked questions dealing with research and evaluation methodology is presented as rules of thumb, with citations to the author's sources. A statement in the literature is considered a rule of thumb if it meets one of the following criteria: (1) it is specifically called a rule of thumb; (2) it contains numbers in…

This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) addresses substance abuse treatment in the context of family therapy. TIPs are best-practice guidelines for the treatment of substance use disorders that make the latest research in substance abuse treatment available to counselors and educators. The content was generated by a panel of experts in the…

The authors explore the effects of labels and employers' hiring decision making in relation to placement of handicapped persons. Eleven job placement practices (such as matching the client to the job and addressing employers' objectives) are outlined. (SW)

Reviews research studies which deal with the relationship between the time students spend engaged in learning and their subsequent achievement performance, and examines the emerging implications of these studies for the classroom teacher. (MP)

Examines two aspects of the uniform federal guidelines affecting selection and interviewing, briefly looks at research on interviewing and considers how this fares in light of the guidelines, and makes specific recommendations to help minimize discriminatory interviewing practices. (Author/IRT)

This brochure presents information and guidance for organizing intercultural seminars that bring together professionals and members of individual ethnocultural communities to share information and experience and to provide insight into the concerns of different communities. The first section is devoted to the "multicultural debate": the…

Helping child abuse victims receive the mental health treatment they need is an important component of victim advocacy with children, and benefits both the children and the criminal justice system. As part of this work, the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Center for Sexual…