Examined hypothesis that cognitive misers (CM)--individuals low in the need for cognition--forego effortful message scrutiny with a presumably truthful communicator. Results showed that CMs depended more on message scrutiny when a knowledgeable source is of questionable honesty than when the source's honesty is clear. Other factors are discussed.…

Increasingly, unpopular facilities are sited in sparsely populated areas for which data are unavailable. The Local Expert Procedure (LEP) estimates selected demographic characteristics of small, rural areas by combining the housing unit method of population estimation with random sampling and key informant ethnography. Factors affecting the…

Presents two mathematical methods for fitting the logistic curve to population data supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau utilizing computer algebra software to carry out the computations and plot graphs. (JKK)

Two studies investigated children's understanding that biases may influence the interpretation of behavior. In the first experiment, most second graders inferred that a negatively biased, uninformed observer would construe an act as intentional. In the second, kindergartners and second graders appropriately used bias and knowledge information to…

Four experiments examined the possibility that second and fourth graders and college students are sensitive to inference constraint when they make causal inferences and assess their understanding of a story. Inference likelihood and understanding ratings varied with constraint for all ages. Results suggest that comprehension monitoring and text…

Describes the use of observation folders as a tool for understanding and refining the basic skills of observation and inference that are important to the young child. These folders provide opportunities for students to view and examine "mystery pictures," make inferences, and arrive at their own conclusions about the subject of the…

Children's analogical reasoning has traditionally been measured by classical four-term analogy tasks or problem-solving tasks. Current theories of analogical development and the evidence on which they are based are reviewed. It is concluded that structural views of analogical development are wrong, and knowledge-based accounts of what develops are…

Revoicing as a classroom technique is considered. Three examples illustrate the potential of the classroom discourse strategy revoicing to position students with regard to propositions and allow them to claim or reject the positions; share reformulations to credit students with teacher inferences; and scaffold and recast problem-solution…

One of the ways cooperating physical education teachers can assess student teachers is through high-inference techniques, but they need knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of such techniques. The paper describes the techniques of intuitive assessment, eyeballing (taking a tour through the gym), anecdotal notes, checklists, and rating…

Outlines the differences between inferences and assumptions in critical thinking processes. Explains that as students develop critical intuitions, they increasingly notice how their point of view shapes their experiences. (AUTH/NB)

Many students from elementary school through college encounter difficulty understanding their science textbooks, regardless of whether they have language disorders. This article discusses some of the particular difficulties associated with science text comprehension and possible remedies for facilitating and enhancing comprehension of challenging…

Institutional researchers frequently use national datasets such as those provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The authors of this chapter explore the adjustments required when analyzing NCES data collected using complex sample designs. (Contains 8 tables.)

This study extends the knowledge garnered from work with younger populations to determine the reading comprehension strategies most important to adults' success on outcome measures and to align them with previously researched interventions. According to an analysis of competence-based standardized tests of literacy (such as the General Educational…

The increasing emphasis on accountability in early care and education has created an opportunity for programs to revisit their child assessment practices. This article presents a model for using authentic assessment practices to document children's progress toward a set of program standards, specifically the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, as…

High school students aspiring to become music educators (n = 116) and upper-level music education majors (n = 130) took part in this investigation comparing higher-order thinking skills in an observation analysis task. We used certain procedures from previous investigations (Sheldon & DeNardo, 2004; Standley & Madsen, 1991). Upperclassmen…