Argues that a previous study of preservice teachers' beliefs about the nature of science (NOS) was interpretively and methodologically faulty. Contests the finding that teachers learned the NOS through implicit instruction, and questions the methodology leading to the assertion that teachers intended to include NOS instruction in their lessons.…

Answers a critique of a previous study of teachers' beliefs about the nature of science (NOS). Reasserts that teachers in the study learned the NOS through implicit instruction and contends that there was negligible researcher bias in the finding that teachers planned to include NOS instruction in their instruction. Defends the choice of…

Discusses the philosophical strengths and weaknesses of Laudan's normative naturalism, which understands the principles of scientific method to be akin to scientific hypotheses, and therefore open to test like any principle of science. Contains 19 references. (Author/WRM)

In this same "Kappan" Issue, Walberg and Greenberg mistakenly allege that Success for All was developed for ulterior (financial) motives, is based on questionable research, and has had poor results. Literacy achievement has not risen for 70 years. Success for All is no panacea but is tackling this problem. (10 references) (MLH)

Success for All, evaluated highly in several cities, has received unfair criticism. Opposing the process for developing, evaluating, and disseminating effective programs to high-poverty schools (particularly highlighting flaws in a tiny subset of studies) merely sows doubt and misinformation about a most promising reform development. (Contains 44…

Inquires into empirical, functional, and theoretical arguments made to substantiate theses of retreat, loss of meaning, or untimeliness of general pedagogics. Discusses recent propositions for reorganizing general pedagogics as a subdiscipline of educational science. Argues that general pedagogics could lead to new pedagogical interrelations if…

The historic origins of measurement are traced, and the basic requirements for fundamental measurement are outlined. Studying the history of social science measurement shows specific pitfalls the researcher must avoid. Applications of item response theory to social science measurement are discussed. (SLD)

To test the effect of less-frequent interviews on data quality in longitudinal surveys, event history data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 regarding welfare and employment were analyzed. Due to the longer recall period, respondents failed to report short spells of welfare, employment, and unemployment. (SK)

Finds study by Gallagher et al. to be both predictable and provocative. Suggests that authors do not quite reflect a sufficient understanding of the dynamics of rule-making to support their recommendations regarding application of early childhood research in regulation. (HTH)

Maintains that findings showing numerical computation abilities in infants are considerably more robust and consistent than Wakeley, Rivera, and Langer suggest. Asserts that all the interim replication attempts have successfully replicated Wynn's original findings. Discusses possible reasons for failure to replicate in Wakeley et al. experiments.…

Comments on Joseph's review of the genetics of attention deficit disorder, demonstrating errors of scientific logic and oversight of relevant research in Joseph's argument. Argues for the validity of twin studies in supporting a genetic link for ADHD and for the complementary role of nature and nurture in the etiology of the disorder. (JPB)

Answers the most important criticisms by Faraone and Biederman in their critique of Joseph's analysis of evidence supporting a genetic basis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Argues that possible genetic and environmental influences in ADHD twin studies are confounded, obscuring inferences about genetic factors. (JPB)

Stern and Barley's article in this same "Administrative Science Quarterly" issue gives too much attention to work appearing in the core organization journals and not enough to findings reported in broader and more specialized social-science journals and the book literature. Surveying this broader domain suggests that organizational…

While the Department of Education boasts lower of school dropout rates, graduation rates are also decreasing in some areas. Although the percentage of students graduating on time has remained unchanged, the percentage of noncompleters who eventually get a high school diploma (through a GED or alternative program) increases yearly. Inadequate…

Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of nursing care. However, it raises numerous dilemmas: lack of consistent conceptualization and a theoretical framework, lack of reliable measurement approaches, and inconsistency of instruments. (SK)