Three studies explored the effects of grouping versus randomized items in questionnaires on internal consistency and test-retest reliability with samples of 80, 80, and 100, respectively, university students and undergraduates. The 2 correlational and 1 experimental studies were reasonably consistent in demonstrating that neither format was…

Recommends a revision of the traditional method for teaching history, so that students view facts as the starting point, from which they learn to classify, examine, and evaluate historical events. Suggests activities and projects for implementation of this teaching method. (LS)

Argues that collection development systems need to exert greater control over scholarly and educational information if the systems are to adapt to changing technical and economic conditions. Steps toward increased control should include categorization of sources and access by function, ongoing definition of a title-specific core, and the…

Outlines a suggested scheme for introducing young children to the subject of classification by using pets and an investigatory approach. General objectives and introductory, developmental and culminating activities are provided. (Author/CW)

A study of 373 students with suspected learning disabilities found that different measures for calculating discrepancies between aptitude and achievement and for measuring achievement resulted in relatively little agreement on appropriate classification. A second study, using computer-simulated data, provided a framework for generalizations to a…

Presents a categorization of distance education methodologies in the form of a taxonomy that compares correspondence study-based distance education approaches with telecommunications-based approaches. Interaction between teachers and students and between students themselves in the distance learning process is highlighted, and a new definition of…

Published opinions of acknowledged leaders in the field of mental retardation in the Soviet Union were reviewed. Basic concepts of the nature and causes of mental retardation, methods of screening, accepted classifications of persons with mental retardation, and educational facilities are described. Some comparisons with American theoretical and…

Assessing Markman's hypothesis that the organizational principles underlying collection concepts facilitate children's performance on cognitive tasks requiring part-whole comparisons, three experiments indicated that the facilitative effect of collection labels appears to be specific to the class-inclusion task. Results suggest that Markman's…

Presents the 1994 periodical price index, based on subscription price information supplied and compiled by the Faxon Company to measure changes in average U.S. periodical prices. Highlights include subject categories, rates of increase, price index comparisons, prices by Library of Congress Classification, and comparative information from 1977…

Examination of 53 children with autism supported the validity of the subtypes "aloof" and "active-but-odd" as predictors of behavior across language/communication, reciprocal social interaction, and stereotyped behavior/restricted interest domains. Partial support for an intermediate, "passive" subtype was garnered. (Author/JDD)

Summarizes the findings of a recent study on the indexing practices used in the Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) database. Descriptors, or indexing terms, from the thesaurus are analyzed; searching implications are discussed; and the relationship between the classification code and the descriptors is examined. (Contains 21…

Discussion of postmodernism and bibliographic instruction in academic libraries is based on a prospectus for an experimental information course at Evergreen State College (Washington). Highlights include structural bibliographic instruction, including a taxonomic model; discourse analysis and bibliographic instruction; composition and…

Examines the intrinsic value of browsing a library collection, either in the stacks or on an online catalog. The value and cost of classification and shelf-listing is discussed, based on data compiled during studies conducted at Cornell University that timed catalogers while they performed the shelf-listing component of cataloging. (Author/LRW)

Reports on a study of the frequency of occurrence of moving image versions, the types of differences that can occur in intellectual and artistic content from one version to another, and the visible indicators, such as mention in reference sources, appearance, and length of production associated with these differences. A list of films in sample is…

Studied influence of intelligence, metacognitive attributions, and knowledge base coherence in the regulation of the category-sorting strategy in first and second graders. Knowledge base was a powerful predictor of strategic-looking behavior; metacognitive attribution was most influential in low knowledge base conditions; and intelligence had…