Discussion of changes in the world of children's publishing and in the sociopolitical climate of the United States between 1960 and 1985 covers changes in the markets for children's books, subject matter, and formats, as well as specific trends in picture books and nonfiction. (EM)

The author describes how character wheels can be used to produce writing and literary analysis exercises for adolescents. The character wheel describes a character, an object, or a concept six ways: (1) physical description, (2) thoughts, (3) behavior, (4) speech, (5) setting, and (6) reaction of others. (CH)

Discusses the need for reference librarians to learn reference materials well enough to be able to review materials and correctly refer patrons to information sources. The review process is outlined and some evaluation of current reference services is provided. (CLB)

Educational supervision sessions between a field teacher and three students were content analyzed for information on how time was allocated for the students' direct practice, problem-solving activities. The findings indicate areas where further conceptualization and research in educational supervision are needed. (Author/MH)

Ten student-teacher supervisors were interviewed, and contents were analyzed to reveal the nature of dilemmas encountered. The main topics concerned curriculum, theory versus practice emphasis, behavioristic versus humanistic approaches, feedback, and personal values. Findings are interpreted, and two models for further research are offered.…

Assessment of writing skills must focus on the writing product to satisfy four educational functions: identifying unsuccessful writers, planning instruction, monitoring student progress, and providing feedback. Both qualitative and quantitative measures for five important aspects of the writing product are discussed: fluency, content, conventions,…

Analyzes the portrayal of death and bereavement in children's literature, focusing on the central character in the book, the death, and the subsequent effect of the death on the central character. Reveals that characters exhibit stereotypical male/female behavior, with little portrayal of natural grief or changed life circumstances. (MM)

Concludes that the content of Farsi-language papers reflected the changing power structure in Iran during the revolution more than did the English-language papers. (FL)

Presents guidelines for using Jean Stafford's initiation story in high school literature classes. Describes a story that has humor, warmth, and a richness of theme that is appealing to both boys and girls. (NKA)

Provides a review of the use of history textbooks in United States schools. Focuses special attention on studies which sought to determine the treatment of specific groups or themes in secondary history textbooks by applying content analysis techniques. Concludes that only a limited number of studies quantified the data upon which the analysis was…

Explains that the concept of message discrimination was originally developed as a means of determining actual units of content that individuals extract from encounters with mass media and describes the relationship between message discrimination and the two related concepts of systematic information availability and knowledge. (DF)

A content analysis was performed on 57 selected children's books to identify the kinds of information presented about death. Among the factors analyzed were the place of death, who died, cause of death, feelings expressed by the dying person, the nature of the funeral, and questions asked by the child characters. (A selected bibliography of…

Information utilization was examined among 90 social service decision makers. Results indicated that propensity to use a particular type of information is relatively independent of the propensity to use a particular source from which the information is obtained. (Author/LMO)

Content analyzed a sample of 110 Grandparents' Day Cards. Results showed cards expressed love but not personal commitment. They avoided physical portrayal of grandparents and presented the elderly as nonpowerful and benign. The symbols used conveyed passivity. (NRB)

Analyzed the 15 best-selling single records for each year between 1955 and 1982, according to trend, content, decade, and musical era. Concluded that popular music is an expression of younger Americans who have become increasingly ironic in their view of human relationships. (PD)