Suggests that newcomers need several types of information to reduce uncertainty surrounding organizational entry. Surveys 117 newcomers (recent college graduates) to assess perceived usefulness of 7 types of information and the extent to which they had passively and actively obtained them. Finds information was obtained actively through monitoring…

Discusses the role of observation in participative learning activities and describes methods to increase observation skills. Purposes of observing are discussed in relation to strategies followed by facilitators; categories of observation are described; methods of recording are examined; and training exercises for observational skills development…

Clinical scholarship begins with reflective observation of patients but differs from clinical research. It results in knowing based on informed, intelligent, and clinically grounded analysis. It is a more appropriate approach for some kinds of problems. (SK)

The role of occlusion configurations in binocular vision was studied in 4 experiments with 10 adult observers. Results reveal that occlusion relationships are sensed during the earliest stages of binocular processing. A simple theoretical framework that unifies fusion, stereopsis, and occlusion is advanced. (SLD)

An asymmetric version of J. Cohen's kappa statistic is presented as an appropriate measure for the agreement between two observers classifying items into nominal categories, when one observer represents the "standard." A numerical example with three categories is provided. (SLD)

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which concerns the effect of observation upon what is observed, is proper to the field of quantum physics, but has been mistakenly adopted and wrongly applied in the realm of naturalistic observation. Discusses the misuse of the principle in the current literature on naturalistic research. (DM)

Six participants in school for students with behavior disorders were shown edited videotapes depicting themselves appropriately engaged in classroom activities. Participants were first exposed to training condition in which both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors of peer were observed or observed/recorded. Participants then observed or…

Discusses the development and results of a naturalistic study of the instructional-design process for three permanent museum exhibits. Examines design goals, design resources, design techniques, constraints such as budget and scheduling, how museum staff makes decisions during the design process, and implications for instructional designers.…

Advocates an approach to observation of young children in nurseries that takes into account the emotional and cognitive domains of observer and the observer in communication with the entire nursery system. Notes that in this approach, observation becomes a source of reflection that involves psychological and pedagogical states of uncertainty and…

Describes the rule structure within which 3- to 5-year-olds operate as they develop social pretend skills. Identifies implicit and explicit rules supported with narrative excerpts. Explicit rules include having a leader who suggests the plot, asking to play, taking a role in the pretend sequence, and playing fairly. Implicit rules include…

Outlines four methods by which school counselors may ensure mutual understanding with teachers about their role while developing rapport and further improving their professional status as competent counselors whose primary interest is in the welfare of the students. Suggests these strategies as effective for bridging the gap that exists between…

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…

Ponders what students might learn from a course in playwriting: the ability to think in vivid instances and moments; the habit of close observation of the details of human behavior; the ability to think through and see through cliches; making hard choices; sympathy; dreaming within limits; and concision. (SR)

Discusses the effects of expectancy on learning in a life science instructional laboratory exercise. Contends that prior knowledge directs the act of observing. Investigates the role of prior conceptions on secondary school students' ability to observe scientific phenomena. (Contains 30 references.) (YDS)

Reports the results of two studies of undergraduates that tested an uncertainty expansion information retrieval device and an uncertainty reduction device in naturalistic settings, designed to be given at different stages of Kuhlthau's information search process. Concludes that the timing of the device interventions is crucial to their potential…