Addresses the absence of a diagnostic instrument to help determine if a student is experiencing problems with invention. Provides two diagnostic models, one based on L. Odell's intellectual strategies, the other on the author's extrapolation of criteria from tacit informal diagnostic estimations. Includes evaluation of the instruments by 40…

Dime novels, short melodramatic paperbacks written in America from 1840 to 1910, are useful in helping secondary school students understand the slave experience in the United States. Writing a dime novel can be used as a class activity; the procedure for using dime novels in the classroom is discussed. (BJV)

Describes an eight-week intensive course for incoming graduate students at the Asian Institute of Technology that helps students learn how to develop a piece of research in English. (LMO)

There is no a priori basis for assuming that theories of social psychology are universal. For theories to be universal, the meaning of the stimulus would have to be consistent across cultures, but this cannot be taken for granted. Cross-cultural variations in social behavior may be "surface" expressions of deep structure norms that are universal.…

Presents thinking-aloud protocols from secondary pupils solving arithmetic story and geometrical problems and analyzes their protocols by using interpretation models founded on a general problem-solving model. A word problem solving simulation is also used to further explicate processes pupils use to solve mathematical tasks. (Author/MBR)

Argues that the adequacy of pidgins and creoles as expressive instruments requires systematic empirical research. This research would be based on two sound approaches: a macro-survey of language resources and a micro-analysis of language samples. (CB)

Criticizes methodology and findings reported in the "Consequences" article, particularly in regard to disparities in characteristics of the samples, validity of the measures, and interpretation of results. (NH)

In studies involving matrix sampling on items, it is often the case that there are too few responses per individual to use latent trait item response models. A model is formulated wherein individual level variability appears as independent error within the cells of a cross classification of demographic variables. (JKS)

This review of the overall findings of the "Educating the Online Catalog User" project at Northwestern University Library focuses on methods of data collection used in evaluating online catalog performance and user performance. The rationale and methodology of transaction log monitoring and new directions for technical development are…

The DAPPOR software, a drill and practice program for learning the command languages of major vendors of bibliographic databases, was tested in a classroom environment at two library schools. Statistically significant positive learning differences were observed with DAPPOR use, particularly with the DIALOG language. (21 references) (Author/EJS)

This study gathered information about the personal teaching theories, learning styles, and teaching methods and techniques of instructors in a business setting. Results of the study and principles derived from research on faculty development are reflected in a proposed intervention model which is designed to improve instructor skills. (MBR)

This study was conducted to determine whether students would use a computer-presented organizational/memory tool as an aid in problem solving, and whether and how locus of control would affect tool use and problem-solving performance. Learners did use the tools, which were most effective in the learner control with feedback condition. (MBR)

Describes development of a causal model to test effects of scholastic ability, computing attitudes, and computing background of university undergraduates on use of a computer-assisted instructional system, PLATO-LDEC; on attitudes toward PLATO-LDEC; on computing attitudes after students' PLATO-LDEC experience; and on course grade. (Author/MBR)

Study designed to determine which version of a game developed in strict compliance with competing models of incentive and dissonance would be more effective in producing attitude change found that results were similar in the experimental groups. Similarity is attributed to sense of identification with simulation characters reported by subjects.…

Describes survey of 500 academic business libraries undertaken to gather information on practices in acquisition, use, retention, and storage of domestic and foreign corporate annual reports, and policies related to their circulation and cataloging. Options for libraries collecting these materials are proposed. Institutions in subset are listed.…