Defends the use and placement of footnotes as being central to the considerations of proof and evidential claims that are essential for historical writing. Notes the differences between history and other social studies that preclude or limit the use of in-text attribution. Answers many standard objections to footnotes. (MJP)

A comparison of rates of acceptance and performance of undergraduate science and nonscience majors applying to 13 classes (1978-90) of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, medical school found no significant difference in acceptance rates, and no difference on most standard measures of medical school academic performance. Results suggest…

Demonstrates the use of technology to enhance the appreciation of applications involving abstract algebra. The symbolic manipulator Maple can perform computations required for a linear cryptosystem. One major benefit of this process is that students can encipher and decipher messages using a linear cryptosystem without becoming confused and…

Describes the use of Mathcad, an interactive software package that responds to mathematical input, in an undergraduate economics class. Mathcad uses a rules-based programming language that "reads" the relationships among variables and constraints defined by the user, solves for unknowns, and graphs for one or more equations. (MJP)

Analyzes enrollment and other statistical data from Harvard University toward discussing the question of why women are less likely than men to major in economics. Discovers little evidence to suggest that the dichotomy is dependent on mathematics aptitude. Alternative explanations include a lack of interest and socialization. (MJP)

An undergraduate education program was revised to keep curriculum content current and relevant in the area of preschool student evaluation. Traditional assessment and evaluation techniques were updated to include portfolio assessment instruction and practical experience at an on-site laboratory. The practicum study provided valuable experience for…

A survey of 65 freshman and 195 junior business administration majors in one metropolitan state university investigated student perceptions of institutional attributes salient in college choice. Results suggest standards of institutional quality are difficult to establish, since evaluations of institutional performance are not consistent, even…

Describes the content of an undergraduate course called "Field Work in Applied Psychology: Teaching Mathematics." Assigns students to gain field work experience by teaching fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-grade students mathematics. Reviews the goals for the teacher, college students, and elementary schools. (CMK)

Identifies an integral problem in most undergraduate psychology classes covering testing and ethical principles. The American Psychological Association's ethical code, rules, and test standards seem obtuse and irrelevant to many students. Recommends teaching the Test Takers' Bill of Rights. Includes a copy of this document. (MJP)

Maintains that having students estimate the size and width of a class waste paper can (placed on a desk) is a simple and effective way of illustrating perceptual distortion. Tests show that people will consistently overestimate the height of the can, allowing for a useful discussion on sensory distortion. (MJP)

Community college students assessed how much prescriptive and developmental advising they had received and expressed their preferences for these advising styles. The amount of advising that full-time and part-time students received differed significantly. Presents findings of transfer versus non-transfer students, considering variables such as…

Stressed is the importance of helping students to become independent of their instructors in gathering information. Information-gathering skills are enumerated and teaching methods are suggested. A brief annotated bibliography and definitions of materials are provided. (CW)

A course designed to teach library research skills to engineering students is described. Discussed are the objectives, method of instruction, student performance, and evaluation for this course. (CW)

Reported are the results of a survey conducted to identify which analytical methods are most commonly used in nonacademic analytical laboratories. Laboratory supervisors' ratings of various aspects of chemical education are included. (CW)

Examples of sets of questions on library readings designed to lead students into articles and emphasize important information and associated literature are presented for introductory geology courses, historical geology, structural geology, mineralogy, and petrology. (Author/CW)