Explains the utility of city directories as an education resource and suggests ways teachers may use directories in student research projects. Finds original research stimulates student interest and creativity. Provides outlines for suggested study topics. Appendix includes student activity worksheets. (NL)

A case study illustrates the ways in which local reactions to a program evaluation directly threaten its validity, and shows that not all participants in a qualitative evaluation study understand or defer to the commitments of democratic evaluation. Ethical concerns in program evaluation are considered. (SLD)

Examines the use of life histories as a method for explaining successful aging patterns. Describes a life-history research project in which undergraduates personalize material learned in social gerontology courses, integrating the life experience and theories. Sensitizes students to the impact of social forces on successful aging. Argues this…

Reexamines definitions of and explanations for the Hawthorne Effect in research subjects. Notes that the Hawthorne Effect was tested in a study of the effectiveness of paired classroom reading among students. Challenges the notion that subject's behavior is modified by participation in research. Reviews various research studies that question the…

In the research paper considered, Stahl and Miller compare the effectiveness of whole language/language experience programs versus basal reader approaches. The article is criticized for misrepresenting concepts related to emergent literacy and inadequately defining whole language, the lack of equivalence between the two nonbasal approaches, and…

Applied multivariate causal modeling techniques to study of college women's (N=663) career development. Found the independent variables ability and agentic characteristics predicted career choice; agentic characteristics and sex role attitudes predicted career orientation. (Author/CM)

A study investigated possible differences in standardized patient examination scores for three groups of undergraduate (n=176) and graduate (n=221) medical students assessed at different sites over two years. Results show no systematic change in scores over testing dates, suggesting no problems with breach of test security. (MSE)

Outlines problems involved in information retrieval evaluation and suggests a more user-centered interpretive approach. A longitudinal study that examines evaluation through the information-seeking behavior of 22 case studies of actual users is described; and relevance judgments, effectiveness ratios, and analysis of document failures are…

The outcome evaluation of a Drug-Free Schools and Community Program using a case-study design and pattern-matching logic in elementary schools and high schools is described, including the use of a panel survey and qualitative interviews. The elementary school case matched predicted outcome, but the high school case did not. (SLD)

Evidence is presented that strengthens the argument against comparison group research strategies. Results from a study of youth attitudes related to the California Conservation Corps involving 528 participants and 668 comparisons indicate that the comparison group may not adequately represent the nontreatment state. (SLD)

Critiques the attempt by David Pariser and Axel van den Berg to apply the author's methods to a cross-cultural study. Argues that their study is too flawed to be definitive. Suggests means to test the universality of the U-curve as a cognitive development pattern or an artifact of culturally defined aesthetics. (DSK)

Responds to a critique of the authors' work by Jessica Davis. Enumerates and responds to each of Davis' critiques, arguing that many of them are invalid. Defends the research design choices made by the authors and the results of their study. (DSK)

Describes the development of Web-based library services and resources available at the Rosenfeld Library of the Anderson Graduate School of Management at University of California at Los Angeles. Highlights include library orientation sessions; virtual tours of the library; a database of basic business sources; and research strategies, including…

Describes the Library Electronic Text Resource Service (LETRS) at Indiana University and examines public relations efforts to build support and interest among the faculty and graduate students. The most successful publicity efforts were based on an understanding of how humanists conduct research. (LRW)

Presents a developmental framework for the study of culture and cognition in which cultural practice is a key organizing construct. Argues that systematic analysis of either cultural change or cognitive development requires that they be understood relative to one another in a single integrative treatment. (Author/SD)