This is the third paper published by The Centre for Literacy in its Working Papers in Literacy series, which presents fresh perspectives on literacy-related issues. The topics are relevant both to other researchers, to practitioners in the field, and to policy-makers. This paper examines the behaviours and beliefs of a group of volunteer tutors to…

This study applied expectancy theory to integrate the numerous and disparate explanations that researchers and educators have proposed to account for teacher resistance to implementing cooperative learning as an educational innovation. The cooperative learning implementation questionnaire (CLIQ) contained 48 items grouped under three broad…

A seven item Likert-type scale was developed to measure self-righteousness, defined as the conviction that one's beliefs and actions are correct, especially in contrast to the beliefs and actions of others. The Self Righteousness Questionnaire (SRQ) measures three components of self-righteousness: belittlement, acceptance, and uncertainty. The…

While the role of values in psychotherapy has received increasing attention, little attention has focused on value congruence between client and therapist. To examine the relationship of specific religious beliefs and values to psychotherapy and mental health, 100 orthodox Christian and 104 nonorthodox and non-Christian college students completed…

Assessed were second grade students to determine whether their beliefs about causes of success in mathematics were related to their personal goals in mathematics. One class that experienced mathematics instruction consistent with a constructivist view rated higher than traditional classes on Task Orientation, attempting to gain understanding.…

If elementary science education is to be improved, elementary teachers must be willing to devote more time and energy to the curriculum. Increased self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs were predicted antecedents to the behavior change. This study was designed to provide a valid and reliable measure of the teacher self-efficacy of preservice…

Describes changes in teacher attitudes after completion of an inservice energy education workshop. Although there was a decrease in favorable attitudes towards curricular change, there was a modest, positive effect on participants (N=132) which should help to promote energy education. (DH)

The consistency, if any, with which force concepts are used by individual students in different, but closely related, contexts was investigated. A total of 534 university and high school students were tested to elicit their beliefs about the forces acting on various objects. Students' beliefs about the forces acting on objects at rest and in…

Describes the development of the "Standards Beliefs Instrument," an instrument to measure teachers' beliefs about the NCTM "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards." Discusses implications for using the instrument for self reflection, assessment of teachers' perspectives toward the vision of the "Standards," and…

Reports the rationale, design, validation, and uses of the "Force Concept Inventory," an instrument to assess the students' beliefs on force. Includes results and implications of two studies that compared the inventory with the "Mechanics Baseline." Includes a copy of the instrument. (MDH)