In a comparison of two systems used for evaluating the skills of medical students in relating to patients, the one utilizing interaction analysis yielded more reliable ratings and seems to have potential as an instructional method. The other system used traditional types of judgments registered on a 10-point continuum. Both systems were used with…

Presents the procedures, results, and conclusions of a study designed to investigate the effects of (1) guided discovery versus didactic methods of instruction upon the acquisition of certain inquiry skills and factual-conceptual achievement, (2) the interaction of the methods variable with selected learner variables. The sample consisted of 140…

Describes experiment which compared two techniques used for evaluating and comparing database coverage of a subject area, e.g., "bibliography" and "subject profile." Differences in time, cost, and results achieved are compared by applying techniques to field of volcanology using two databases, Geological Reference File and GeoArchive. Twenty…

It is proposed that assessment of human translation versus machine translation programs use methods and criteria that measure efficiency and cost effectiveness and are efficient and cost-effective in themselves. A variety of methods and criteria are evaluated and discussed. (MSE)

Teachers can exploit the contrast between the 1920's and the 1930's as a means for helping students understand the latter decade. Discusses the political, economic, social, and cultural differences between the two decades. Case studies and supplementary reading materials are suggested. (CS)

Used a racially mixed sample (N=1,400) of store clerks to examine the relationship between recruiting source and employee success. Results suggest that for Whites, informal recruiting sources (e.g., employee referrals, in-store notices) were associated with longer tenure. For Blacks, more formal sources (e.g., employment agencies, media…

Investigated whether retrospective and concurrent assessments in test anxiety research yield comparable data. Results indicated that concurrent and retrospective assessment groups did not differ on number of positive thoughts, negative thoughts, bodily sensations, or anxiety levels. Concurrent assessment did not affect test performance. (Author)

Investigates the extent to which individually guided education (IGE) and non-IGE teachers consider student characteristics when making instructional decisions. (Author/MP)

Studied frequency of occurrence of four different types of physical contact (touching, holding hands, sitting-on-lap, and hugging) in school-based helping interactions between nonprofessional child aides and young referred children. Frequency of contact behaviors did not relate either to adjustment status at referral or to intervention outcomes.…

Evaluated three approaches to teaching social skill training (SST). All three conditions showed equivalent improvement in familiarity with SST; however, only the structured learning format and conference workshop format improved evaluative skills significantly. A measure of therapist behavior during a simulated SST session showed roughly…

Studied effects of four types of orientation approaches on disadvantaged Black freshmen students' attitudes toward discussing problems with counseling center staff, knowledge of counseling center services, and perceived use of the counseling center to discuss problems in the future. Showed small group orientation the most effective method. (RC)

Suggests that direct and indirect measures of writing ability tend to tap similar skills. Concludes that educational decisions about competence in writing can be be made by using a combination of direct and indirect means. (FL)

Reviews research suggesting that there is no one method that is best for teaching sight words to every child. (FL)