Analyzes the content of stories in several basal reading systems widely used in primary grade reading instruction, in terms of the relative frequency of main characters who are elderly, the quality of characterizations of elderly characters, the incidence of aging themes, and incidental references to aging or the elderly. Indicates few positive…

Using St. Bonaventure's program as an example, claims that undergraduate journalism students can benefit from studying research theory and methodology and then applying it in their senior year. Indicates that these programs help overcome faculty inertia over quantitative analysis and that surveys and content analyses represent the most popular…

Huggins' report lacks serious data collection on college Black Studies Departments, omits the strongest ones, fails to record their history accurately, and does not assess the research achievements of its scholars. Huggins overlooks the importance of applying an Afro-centric perspective to phenomena related to people of African descent. (PS)

Uses ideas contained in King's book as the basis for a unit on critical analysis of horror films for composition students. (NKA)

A generic conceptual framework is presented to guide study of preservice collegiate professional preparation programs. Research based on the scheme can help to improve program self-study and external reviews, clarify educational goals, and foster collaboration across fields of professional study. (Author/MLW)

Summarizes results of analysis of 209 reviews of fiction books for children and adolescents appearing in six major selection aids in 1979, and discusses classification of statements in reviews--descriptive (objective statements); analytical (literary elements); and sociological (nonliterary considerations). The Classification of Book Reviews form…

Compares Japanese and American television programs most often watched by children and evaluates frequency and quality of portrayal of older characters. American television was found to portray older characters more frequently and more positively than Japanese television. (NRB)

A study of the first grade books in two basal series, compared with typical storybooks, shows that the amount and type of picture-dependence varies, even over the year. (FL)

Analyzes a number of articles and advertisements in 16 magazines and concludes that the ads neither set nor followed the country-western trend of the late l970s and early l980s. (FL)

Examines Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery," written against the background of the Holocaust. Suggests that its theme of mindless and unchallenged tradition, and its corollary theme of control, are meant as a warning that traditions ought to be examined from time to time. (RBW)

A review of American government textbooks shows that significant change has occurred concerning the content of newer textbooks, specifically the way they treat theories of elitist groups and systems analysis. (ND)

Analyzes representative texts now in use in undergraduate Russian instruction, and seeks to stimulate investigation of texts which may have been overlooked in this survey. (AM)

Motivation has been recognized by both psychologists and educators as one of the key elements for a successful learning outcome. In research on motivation in language learning, it is customary to view the construct as a dyadic unity of integrative and instrumental motivation. The former includes the learners' attitudes towards the culture and…

Background: Action research is a meaningful form of research because it is conducted by the teacher in his or her own classroom. Action research requires a teacher to design a study in an area of interest and conduct it in their own classroom. Action research is a requirement for some masters of education programs in the United States. Purpose: To…

The Magazine Division of the proceedings contains the following 8 papers: "The Coverage of Prostate Cancer and Impotence in Four Magazines: 1991-2000" (W. Buzz Hoon); "A Content Analysis of Advertising Visuals in the Magazine Advertisements: The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression" (Daechun An); "Do They 'Play Like…