Gauged the impact of mastery and relative-ability appraisal goals on observational behaviors of 230 children of 4-10 years. Results confirmed that younger children observe others in order to develop mastery, but older children observe to assess relative ability. (RJC)

The article offers guidelines for researchers using qualitative research methods, including interviews, with retarded populations whose verbal skills are limited. It is important for the researcher to supplement information received through verbal discussion with observations of home and workplace. (Author/DB)

New coefficients of agreement are suggested for the measure of intraclass consistency between observations on two variables. The coefficients are derived from a general coefficient for measuring intraclass dependence in a bivariate analysis context. Various coefficients for the univariate agreement analysis are shown to be cases of the suggested…

Traces the roots of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, which provides programs to encourage outdoor experiences. Summarizes a forum on natural history education titled, "Breaking the Barriers: Linking Children and Nature." Lists strategies for improving environmental education and objectives for the institute. (KS)

Describes how a classroom observation of apples led to the development of a science project. Discusses the correlation between the greenness and the acidity of apples. Finds that the greener the apple, the lower its pH, and thus the more acidic and less sweet it tastes. (Author/CCM)

The hypothetical deduction model of educational research should be replaced by one that distinguishes between the logical structure of hypothetico-deduction and its methodological application. Such a framework explores relationships between three levels of explanation: observation sentences, observation categoricals, and theory formulations. (SK)

Proposes that environmental educators refocus their attention on the study of nature to reach the goal of environmental literacy. (MDH)

Introduces the Mystery Festival at the Shrewsbury Middle School in Massachusetts. Claims that this program will enable the children to collect and analyze data, carry out necessary tests, and develop a scientific approach to solving crimes. Describes the process of setting up this festival and recommendations for adapting the program to suit…

Examined the judgement of rectangular areas in young children who are blind from birth. Subjects were eight children ranging from six to eight years old. Their gestural strategies were examined in detail when placed in an area evaluation situation. Results indicated that acquisition of information concerning figures appeared to follow a fairly…

Assessment plays a critical role in teaching and learning and is an integral part of a mathematics curriculum called "Investigations in Number, Data, and Space, K-5". Presents assessment activities that include observing while working with students and interpreting their strategies. (ASK)

To introduce students to rocks and their characteristics, teacher can begin rock units with the activities described in this article. Students need the ability to make simple observations using their senses and simple tools.

This qualitative study was undertaken to explore the meaning that students make of their interactions with campus judicial systems. Using a multiple case study approach, 10 students from 3 institutions in the Southeastern United States were observed and interviewed. The findings presented here relate to students' perceived learning and anticipated…

The research goals were to use the constructs of harm and intent to quantify the severity of aggression in the real-world setting of the bar/club, to describe the range of aggressive behaviors and their relationship to harm and intent, and to examine gender differences in the form and severity of aggression. Systematic observations were conducted…

A normative framework for modeling causal and counterfactual reasoning has been proposed by Spirtes, Glymour, and Scheines (1993; cf. Pearl, 2000). The framework takes as fundamental that reasoning from observation and intervention differ. Intervention includes actual manipulation as well as counterfactual manipulation of a model via thought. To…

William Harvey's discovery of the presence of capillaries and the role played by them without actually seeing them highlights his power of observation and logic. However, his perspective could not be considered as new since he had adopted his disposition for ocular demonstration from Aristotle and Galen.