Reports a study that examined the impact of an introductory college computer course on users' subsequent preferences in their choice of computer (IBM versus Macintosh). Surveys found a strong positive relationship between the type of computer students used in the course and their later use and purchasing preferences. (SM)

Argues that Vygotsky's "zone of proximal development" (ZPD) can be redefined as a nonlinear dynamic model. Presents a mathematical reformulation that generates a variety of developmental patterns and has the capacity to show under which conditions unwanted or unsuccessful developmental paths may occur. Illustrates how this reformulation…

An off-campus MBA program involved 467 nontraditional students in individual assignments and 2 intensive weekend classes. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, undergraduate grade point average, and work experience were the best predictors of success in the program. For those admitted as exceptions, GMAT score and undergraduate…

Investigates the relationship between cognitive abilities at age four and reading at age seven. Shows that reading ability was positively correlated with knowledge of grapheme-phoneme correspondence, visual memory, auditory sequential memory, and Draw-a-Man scores (intelligence). Suggests that cognitive deficits predate reading problems. (PA)

Using racial/ethnic categories as official census data is outdated; this information has become a political reality with little scientific or intellectual validity. Although race has always been a partial marker for poverty, people have been more effectively segregated by wealth. Poverty is the best predictor of school failure. (10 references)…

Data from 355 valid responses from 1,000 human resource professionals showed that specific variables predicted stress according to the management style of respondents' managers (authoritative, benevolent, consultative, participative). Self-esteem, locus of control, and Type A behavior were consistent predictors. (SK)

Satisfaction of 174 caregivers with the services received by their adult family member with mental retardation were examined. Most caregivers were satisfied with the services, regardless of the type of services received. Access variables, including the assistance provided in acquiring services, were better predictors of satisfaction than were…

Examined the recall of 13-, 16-, and 20-month-old toddlers of laboratory events after delays of 1-3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Found that all toddlers remembered the events regardless of age or delay interval. Language ability at the time of exposure to the events predicted verbal expression of the memory after the delay. (MDM)

Reviews the health consequences of smoking among African Americans. Examines factors predicting smoking onset in general and discusses studies assessing gender and ethnicity differences. Describes the Memphis Health Project, a five-year study identifying factors associated with smoking onset in African American versus Euro-American girls. (SM)

Analysis of records of dependency and criminal filings in 833 substantiated intrafamilial child abuse and neglect cases in 3 U.S. cities indicated that legal intervention was rare, with dependency filings and prosecutions in just 21% and 4% of the sample, respectively, although treatment plans and out-of-home placements occurred more frequently.…

Examined risk factors of 3-year-old sons in 58 families with alcoholic fathers and 16 families with nonalcoholic fathers. Found that sons of alcoholic fathers were more impulsive than sons of nonalcoholic fathers. No differences between the groups in developmental age, IQ, or behavior problems were found. (MDM)

Effects of violating the independence assumption when combining correlation coefficients in a meta-analysis were studied. This Monte-Carlo simulation varied sample size, predictor number, population intercorrelation among predictors, and population correlation between predictors and criterion. Combining statistics from nonindependent data in a…

Reviews theory and research findings concerning service organizations, develops a model of the library reference process, and summarizes the results of a partial test of the model in five academic libraries in northern California. The roles of clients and service providers are explored, and variables that influence service outcomes are discussed.…

Describes a study designed to evaluate the performance of an experimental semiautomatic map cataloging advisor, Mapper, in the descriptive cataloging of single-sheet maps from U.S. publishers. Hypotheses tested are discussed, treatment of experimental and control groups is described, and it is reported that Mapper helped produce better cataloging…

Examined relationship between perinatal information and school achievement for 134 children and adolescents with learning problems. Perinatal information alone and in combination with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised subtests accounted for significant amount of variability in three achievement dimensions of Wide Range Achievement…