Reports results of survey of 21 smaller to medium-sized (50,000-200,000 volumes) libraries which was conducted to determine factors used to make selection decisions in purchase of automated turnkey systems from established vendors. Factors examined include costs, software, hardware, and vendors for parts A (actual experience) and B (hypothetical…

Describes a study that surveyed Iowa elementary and secondary school principals to determine computer assisted instruction (CAI) use in different grade levels and subject content areas and their opinions on importance of computer literacy/CAI awareness in teacher selection, and whether all preservice teachers should complete one computer…

Investigates techniques for automatic classification of book material focusing on: computer-based surrogation of monographic material, book surrogate clustering on basis of content association, evaluation of resultant classifications. Test collection (250 books) is described with surrogation by means of back-of-the-book index, table of contents,…

An investigation was undertaken in 1984 in 14 schools of librarianship and information studies (SLIS) in England and Wales. The extent to which information technology concepts have been incorporated into SLIS syllabuses was studied in conjunction with SLIS heads and by examination of curriculum statements. Six sources are given. (Author/EJS)

Describes a field study in which female students at a teacher-training college in Israel who completed two computer based Jewish studies courses revealed their attitudes toward computerized learning, toward computer assisted instruction programming elements, and toward special elements in the programs. Results indicate positive student attitudes.…

Discusses the differing points of view of foreign language teaching research and second language acquisition research. The article shows that second language acquisition research works with linguistic data as a product of output, while foreign language teaching research, in addition, tries to interpret classroom data by taking into account the…

Examines secular trends in research on Afro-American children appearing in CHILD DEVELOPMENT between 1936 and 1980. A statistical analysis revealed dramatic changes in the frequency and type of research on this population, and identified some of the changing social issues and perspectives that are reflected in the research. (Author/BB)

Reports results of study of a group of end users (patent attorneys) doing their own online searching at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Highlights include DIALOG databases used by the attorneys, locations and searching modes, characteristics of patent attorney searchers, and problem areas. Questionnaire is appended. (5 references) (EJS)

This nationwide study, conducted to investigate extent to which sex of individual is controlling factor relating to salaries, career progression, and library support, compared the careers of male and female public library directors serving populations of 100,000 or more in continental United States. Questionnaire is appended. (21 references) (EJS)

Reports results of unobtrusive testing of reference service (asking reference questions of library staff who are unaware of being evaluated) in government documents and central reference areas of 26 U.S. libraries. Accuracy of answers, interview and search process duration, referral, and use of catalog and technology are highlighted. (12…

This study tested the hypothesis that 15- to 21-year-old educable mentally retarded students could successfully interact with microcomputers and show interest in using them as a learning tool. High interest levels and attention spans and positive microcomputer attitudes displayed by subjects suggest there may be unrealized potential in…

Outlines specific steps for implementing and validating a qualitative methodology designed to evaluate rural areas' special education programs serving students with severe special needs. Provides a rationale for use of the elements of aesthetic criticism as the basis of the methodology and discusses practical limitations and usefulness of the…

Findings of 79 research reports were analyzed to assess the effects of calculators on student achievement and attitudes. Except in grade four, use of calculators in concert with traditional mathematics instruction improved average students' basic skills with paper and pencil, both in working exercises and in problem solving. (MNS)

This article describes procedures to be followed in developing a system for observation of teachers in the classroom and use of the observation to evaluate teachers. A list of criteria is presented, including various types of validity, measurement characteristics, and practicality characteristics for observation systems. (Author/LMO)

Studies in self-questioning designed to improve students' prose processing are reviewed in the context of three theoretical perspectives: active processing perspective, metacognitive theory, and schema theory. The effects of self-questioning training on students' prose processing seem successful. Constraints of content knowledge and metacognitive…