To reduce test anxiety, students were given increased information about the probable question types on end-of-unit examinations. Two experimental testing formats, a combination of the two, and the typical practice of providing no additional information were compared. Results show that additional information can reduce anxiety but not necessarily…

A six-year evaluation of the long-range benefits of bilingual education illustrates the utility of time series and between-group variance for programs involving linguistic and ethnic minority populations. Through the described Individualized Bilingual Instruction children were brought to a level of balanced bilingualism in approximately a…

Describes behavior analysis as a radical approach for solving educational research problems that prebehavioristic social science has not solved; compares the methodology and assumptions of behavior analysis and conventional social science research; and suggests that misinformation has resulted in an irrational bias against behaviorism among…

Methodological weaknesses are found in previous research on college impact on student religious beliefs. A new, longitudinal study with control groups suggests no distinctive impact--change in religious orientation is multidirectional. It is suggested that this is because college attendance has no distinctive effect on students' reference groups.…

Presents the social indicators approach (which infers needs from currently existing descriptive data) and the key informants technique (which secures information from individuals with insight into community needs) as alternatives to the community needs assessment survey. Considers both approaches more cost-effective and successful for diagnosing…

Reports on a study in which attempts were made to instantiate the same task in a series of classroom lessons and activities and which used two process coding systems to evaluate teacher performance. Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each type of coding system. (FL)

Reviews present and potential uses of videotape technology in behavioral research. Emphasis is placed on research methodology and the value of incorporating videotape in current research practices, including behavior observation studies, in modeling research, and in perceptual attribution investigations. Concludes with an analysis of advantages…

A sample of 38 ninth-grade students was tested with a randomized response questionnaire designed to ask respondents sensitive questions with the assurance that responses would remain anonymous. Results of the investigation indicate that this technique can be used effectively with ninth-grade students and with large groups of individuals to obtain…

To examine common stereotypes about social work majors' attitudes about research and their quantitative skills, they were compared with social science majors in a social statistics course. Social workers were found not to be deficient in quantitative aptitudes and not to have negative attitudes about research. They performed better than social…

A social cognitive developmental model is presented integrating a Piagetian developmental model and Flavell's processing model, to describe three aspects of development. The utility of the model was tested in two studies. The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase children's social cognitive abilities instructionally. (Author/CTM)

Discusses conflicts that may arise when research is conducted in a university counseling center. Sources of conflict include philosophical assumptions about research, practical problems involved in carrying out the research, and ethical constraints. (Author)

Discusses the need for awareness of real and potential problems in educational evaluation approaches, kinds of problems there are with true experimental designs and with quasi-experimental designs, and the criteria applied by the Joint Dissemination Review Panel to its review of educational programs. (MF)

Describes three theories applicable to the study of human communication and nutrition education research: (1) communication effects perspective (applicable for evaluating short-term efforts); (2) social relationship perspective (applicable for evaluating long-term efforts); and (3) pragmatics (applicable to face-to-face communications). Includes…

Presents the argument that counseling is an instructional process and examines the implications of this position for counseling practice, counseling effectiveness research, and counselor training. An instructional counseling model for counselor training is described. (Author/RC)

These six articles focus on anticipated directions, topics and trends in family research and theory. Common themes include: (1) a continuing concern with family policy; (2) transactions and interconnections among families and institutions; (3) the need for consortiums and multi-disciplinary research groups; and (4) specialized individual research.…