Coburn and Turner's "Research on Data Use: A Framework and Analysis" is a major step forward for educational researchers in the still-young community studying how educational systems are impacted by information tools. Even though the "data" that Coburn and Turner focus on in this paper are largely from traditional assessments, this work has…

Clarifies the concept of development, briefly discussing three historical periods of development education. Contrasts "split-knowledge" and "holistic" paradigms of modern science. (RH)

Suggests a model of successful inservice education involving three major factors. Teachers must acquire knowledge, acquire skills or competencies, and undergo practical experiences that require application of the knowledge and skills. The implications of the model for teachers of exceptional children are particularly important. (PGD)

The effective communication of desired information between the generator and the user requires one to accommodate variances in decision-making style, behavior, and context. The premise that decision making in organizations follows the classic rational model is discussed. (Author/MLW)

Reveals the potential usefulness of the "medical model" for social work practitioners. Outlines methods of the medical approach that can be used to improve social services and to avoid wasteful or harmful practice. Suggests social workers having negative attitudes about the medical model should reconsider their attitudes. (Author

Attempts are made to account for the failure of generalized planning models for higher education. The reasons offered by survey research are judged to be inadequate. New foundations are laid for the construction and use of planning models, relying heavily on the notion of diverse institutional theories that guide decision making. (Author/JMD)

Describes the information environment of managers by presenting a model and by reviewing pertinent literature. Structural components of the model include general managerial behaviors, management roles, managerial activities, decision making, problem dimensions, and characteristics of the person and of the organization. (Contains 192 references.)…

Describes a study that investigated how CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) in the Canadian publishing and telecommunications industries acquire and use information about the business environment. Topics discussed include environmental scanning; perceived environmental uncertainty; information sources; information use in decision making; and a…

Describes a project conducted by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to determine the possibility of establishing indicators to concretely measure the relevance of information to decision-making processes in the context of assistance to developing countries. Use of a computer conference and a workshop to develop a model are…

Proposes a community college program review model which promotes institutional autonomy and satisfies accountability demands. Recommends that community colleges use a need/access model rather than the equality/excellence model appropriate for universities. Proposes an open and flexible review process, specific products, and seven evaluation…

Data from interviews with elementary school principals are examined for insights into the impact of administrative style on evaluation utilization. Characteristics of 23 principals' administrative styles are classified as being either "compliance" (CO) or "non-compliance" (NCO) oriented. CO principals are characterized by the following: (1)…

Describes how reference-based instruction can be incorporated into an instructional system design. Provides specific examples of learning objectives and student exercises. Defines reference-based instruction and outlines its benefits. Lists guidelines for how to structure usability tests for Help systems. Advises how technical communicators can…

Discusses how one-on-one interaction between teacher-librarians and students can turn library research projects into positive experiences in which students use a process of constructing knowledge for themselves rather than reproducing knowledge they find in information sources. A model of thinking during information use is presented. (Author/LRW)

Describes E. Frank Harrison's model of decision making and discusses its implications for decision making by librarians and information managers. Questions relating to decision quality, group size, reward and penalty mechanisms, group norms, and the place of information science in the study of decision making are addressed. Nine references are…

An information feedback model and an ideology of evaluation are posed and contrasted with experiences in evaluation research. Impact on policy is the criterion for success of an evaluation and political constraints block this impact. Some ways social researchers might conceptualize and construct an appropriate base of power are considered.…