Presents a dialog on the value and utility of the Person-in-Environment (PIE) System for describing, classifying, and coding common problems clients bring to social workers. Problems cited include the model's dependence on constructs with deep cultural meanings and its responsiveness to individual characteristics and needs. Advantages include…

Explains appropriate techniques to test for interactions and nonlinearity in mass communication survey data. Uses four well-known mass communication theories as examples of when to expect and test for these types of effects. Identifies the theoretical and methodological implications for mass communications researchers of the recent debate on this…

Cites Edward Lee Thorndike's influence on the sizable chasm between educational research and practice. Notes recent progress in improving research use (action research, teacher researchers) but suggests there is still far to go. (SK)

Over the past 10 or 15 years, gifted education has been transformed. Major changes have occurred in the areas of theory and research, instruction and programming, and consideration of special populations' needs. This theme issue overviews all three areas, focusing on reconceptualized notions of intelligence, alternatives to discontinued pullout…

Reviews models and theories on effective schooling. Discusses four rationality-based organization theories and a fifth perspective, chaos theory, as applied to organizational functioning. Discusses theory-embedded principles flowing from these theories: proactive structuring, fit, market mechanisms, cybernetics, and self-organization. The…

Provides examples of group research conducted in applied settings which encourage collaborative research efforts between practitioners and researchers. Addresses group counseling in school settings, focuses on community mental health, reviews findings about groups in university and college counseling centers, and addresses difficulties in…

A workshop series designed to change attitudes and culture in accident and emergency departments in Britain sought to influence clinical practice by sharing the experience of researchers and practitioners. It was considered an effective way to disseminate research, but real change must also involve other departments in the hospital. (SK)

States that the beliefs and practices associated with holistic, child-centered teaching and literature-based reading instruction are being challenged at every turn. Finds that publishers have developed basals that purport to be all things to all people. Gives the history of basal reader development. Suggests that basal systems are being used as…

Discusses misconceptions that half-informed educators might have about the author's theory of multiple intelligences. The seven intelligences are based on explicit criteria and respond to specific real-world content. Educators can assess proficiency, but not intelligence at different tasks. Theories can have infinite numbers of possible…

Describes a model of intervention that is designed to support and encourage literacy development among children whose families are or recently have been homeless. The article then places this model within a global context, discussing the broader implications of providing literacy support services for homeless families. (GR)

Describes chaos theory in light of its original principles derived from the physical sciences and in terms of scholarly attempts to apply those precepts to educational administration. When transposed to management models, the theory loses its mathematical and empirical underpinnings. Since researchers cannot verify whether the theory applies to…

Evaluated the multicultural module of a postgraduate Diploma in Counseling. Evaluation focused both on former students' experience of the relevance of multiculturalism to their counseling and on which of three perspectives on multiculturalism they most agreed with. Findings confirmed and illustrated the relevance of multiculturalism to practice.…

Uses R.A. Ackoff's connotations to define "model" as noun, adjective, and verb. Researchers should use various types of models (iconic, analogue, or symbolic) for three purposes: to reveal reality, to explain the past and present, and to predict and control the future. Herbert Simon's process model for administrative decision making has widespread…

Describes three theories supporting reading instruction--schema theory, the constructivist approach, and literary response theory--and offers best classroom practices that support these theories. Provides a sample lesson illustrating possible cross-curricular interactions, also considered a best practice. (EV)

Focuses on ethical concepts and thinking processes and their application to professional issues, particularly to information professionals. Topics include conflicts between professional and organizational ethics; regulatory mechanisms and the professions; the practice skills model and the professional-client model for information professionals;…