Calls into question the validity and usefulness of classifying poor readers into learning disability and nonlearning disability categories on the basis of the discrepancy between their IQs and reading achievement scores. A review of the research indicates that the premises on which this classification rests are not valid. (SLD)

Rough set theory is a new mathematical tool to deal with vagueness and uncertainty. Computational methods are presented for using rough sets to identify classes in datasets, finding dependencies in relations, and discovering rules which are hidden in databases. The methods are illustrated with a running example from a database of car test results.…

Develops and analyzes four algorithms for feature selection in the context of rough set methodology. Experimental results confirm the expected relationship between the time complexity of these algorithms and the classification accuracy of the resulting upper classifiers. When compared, results of upper classifiers perform better than lower…

Reacts to Waldo and Bauman's Goals and Process (GAP) matrix for groups article in terms of its usefulness to student-development educators leading psychoeducational groups. Briefly describes the context within which student-development educators do psychoeducational group work. Provides a perspective on applying the proposed matrix and discusses…

Examines philosophical and epistemological perspectives on definitions of competence and its measurement in workplace contexts. Concludes that consensus on parameters and definitions of competence are needed to ensure the clarity, consistency, and reliability of measurement. (Contains 115 references.) (SK)

Describes empirical investigations of people's use of relevance criteria. Highlights include a laboratory experiment and a naturalistic study that explored the patterns of movement in use of relevance criteria during real-time document evaluation processes; criteria patterns; and a classification scheme and criteria taxonomy that may enable…

This study investigated the relationship between categorical perception and dyslexia by comparing the discrimination responses of 19 children with dyslexia and 17 average readers to sinewave analogues of speech sounds presented as either nonspeech whistles or as speech sounds. The study found an increased perceptibility of within-category…

Three studies explored 2- to 4-year-olds' ability to categorize objects based on novel underlying causal power. Children saw that a "blicket" would set off a machine and participated in categorization, induction, and association tasks. Results demonstrated that even 2-year-olds easily learn about an object's new causal power and…

Discusses levels of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) as ordinal categories. Presents guidelines developed through the Rasch model that prompt an analyst to investigate whether rating categories produce observations on which meaningful measurement and inference about patient status can be based. (SLD)

Preliminary findings from a longitudinal study of 32 preschool children who stutter and 32 nonstuttering controls reveal 4 subgroups: (1) persistent stuttering; (2) late recovery; (3) early recovery; and (4) control. Comparative data for the groups regarding frequency of disfluency, acoustic features, phonologic skills, language development,…

Five experiments tested the development of conceptual categories by familiarizing infants to objects in a category and presenting them with an object in a different category. Infants' responses indicated that infants at 7 to 11 months categorized animals, vehicles, and furniture; at 11 months, plants and kitchen utensils; and at 9 to 11 months,…

Explains a study that assesses students' ideas about animals. Evaluates textbooks and trade books according to the identifications and words they use. Discusses student responses from different grade levels on the classification of animals and identifying what is an animal. Summarizes the results of the study and makes recommendations on the…

Describes performance indicators (PIs) as conceptual technologies that shape the issues academics think about and how they think about these issues. Explores the normative assumptions embedded in the PIs of higher education in Alberta, Canada, to yield an initial typology of assumptions academics can apply to PIs in higher education to refine or…

Examined causal status effect (weighing cause features more than effect features in categorization). Presented adults and 7- to 9-year-olds animal descriptions wherein one feature caused two others. Asked which transfer item was more likely an example of novel animal. Found that both groups preferred an animal with a cause and an effect feature…

A study of 18 first-semester, 32 midprogram, and 18 graduating/graduated agricultural education doctoral students showed that degree progress increased the following competencies: foundations, applications, and international knowledge; social, content, process, problem-solving, systems, and resource management skills; and verbal, reasoning,…