Larry Palinkas advances the developing science of social work by providing an explanation of how social science research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, can improve our capacity to draw casual inferences. Understanding causal relations and making causal inferences--with the promise of being able to predict and control outcomes--is…

The proposal of Subotnik, Olszewski-Kubilius, and Worrell (2011) on rethinking giftedness and gifted education has a number of implications from an occupational/career decision-making perspective. In this examination of their ideas, consideration is given to the literature in vocational psychology/career development, the emerging findings on the…

I address two issues that were inspired by my work on the Dutch Committee on Tests and Testing (COTAN). The first issue is the understanding of problems test constructors and researchers using tests have of psychometric knowledge. I argue that this understanding is important for a field, like psychometrics, for which the dissemination of…

There has been much discussion regarding the apparent lack of ethics in leaders of public and private organizations, and elected officials. This commentary proposes a foundation that can be used to establish a standard for ethical leadership. The commentary is grounded in classical ethical theories that can be applied to today's leaders. The…

U.S. education is at a transformational moment. The choices we make will determine whether our schools become collaborative and democratic or prescriptive and authoritarian. The policies proposed by the federal government for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act will create some good schools for some students while…

This concluding commentary highlights common themes that emerged across the chapters in this volume. We identify strengths and limitations of the core competencies framework and discuss the importance of context, culture, and development for understanding the role of the core competencies in preventing risk behavior in adolescence. We also outline…

This paper examines the influence of farmer knowledge upon decision making processes. Drawing upon the sociological debates around the ideas of reflexive modernity and biotechnology as well as from classic adoption and diffusion studies, I explore the influences upon farmers' use of "Bacillus thuringiensis" (Bt) corn. Utilizing survey data…

In the process of developing the decision-making skills of their students, business educators should be concerned with the way in which business students internalize and react to information needed when making decisions. They must consider student open- and closed-mindedness as a variable in decision making. (JOW)

Teachers of business law have many opportunities to integrate basic economic principles into their business law classes and therefore contribute to students' economic as well as legal literacy. Discusses a number of specific learning activities resources. (JOW)

States that similarities between education and other services may not be sufficient to conclude that services marketing methods can be easily transferred to all markets in higher education. Article identifies and discusses why higher education marketing is a particular challenge. Suggests that understanding these challenges can help in making…

Research indicates that the most successful executives are those able to make decisions by following a hunch. This article discusses how biofeedback, art, and other techniques can be used to help managers take advantage of the intuitive, creative powers of the right brain in making decisions. (Author/CT)

Discusses nontyping competencies needed in the electronic office and how they can be developed in the traditional typing class. (JOW)

Little research has been done to discover the process of selection of teachers by principals. This paper reports the results of a small study in which 29 principals in 11 districts in Tennessee were interviewed to determine the process used to hire a teacher, with the results analyzed for instructional leadership and rational decision making. If…

It is time to take a look at the methods of teaching traditional clerical skills such as typing, shorthand, machine transcription, and decision making in view of the advances in word processing and other technical advances in business equipment. Further research is encouraged in order to update curricula and business programs. (CT)

Discusses four types of clinical decision situations used by social workers in a health-care context--operational, strategic, authoritative, and crisis--and presents a model to assist in analyzing their components and requirements. Case vignettes drawn from practice illustrate each type of decision-making process. (JPS)