Prospective and retrospective studies of 1,659 secondary school students and 198 workers in England and Malaysia found positive relationships between intrinsic motivations for learning and working. The "diploma disease" thesis, which posits negative relationships between examination-oriented schooling in developing nations and intrinsic…

A total of 52 Afro-Caribbean, mixed-race, and Caucasian children adopted by Caucasian parents were surveyed 12 years after their adoption. Most of the adolescents and young adults in all three groups scored favorably on measures of adjustment and identity. There was no evidence that transracial adoptions led to maladjustment. (MDM)

This study evaluated the impact of social work field instructor training on student perceptions of the field experience. Students with seminar-trained field instructors (n=30) were more satisfied with faculty field liaison than students with other instructors, and trained instructors demonstrated expected supervisory behavior more often for most…

Highlights findings from a "Survey of Recent STEP (Stanford Teacher Education Program) Graduates" regarding demographics, STEP background, career choices, reasons for leaving teaching, and time teaching. Findings indicate that student teaching experiences during STEP and paid internships may influence decisions to continue as teachers.…

Describes the Public Library Effectiveness Study (PLES), which was designed to apply models and methods of organizational effectiveness research to public libraries. Indicators of public library effectiveness are described, factor analysis results are presented, implications for evaluating library performance are discussed, and further research is…

French-Canadian high school students (n=558) participated in study of relationship between suicidal ideation and selected personality variables, stress, and social support. Results indicated that suicidal ideation was positively related to depression, negative stress, and drug and alcohol use and negatively related to self-esteem, satisfaction…

A survey of 53 undergraduates at Aberdeen University (Scotland) to assess the quality and nature of student's learning in a Web-based system. Shows students exercised greater freedom in studying, had little difficulty accessing computers, and experienced few technical failures. Study found students printed Web documents immediately and few sought…

Discusses library instruction in the use of CD-ROMs and describes results of a survey of CD-ROM users at C.W. Post College (NY), including characteristics of CD-ROM users, evaluating searches, advanced search techniques, learning and using the system, and changes in CD-ROM users from 1992 to 1996. (LRW)

A survey of 215 graduates from small rural high schools in north-central Missouri examined the perceived effectiveness of academic, vocational, and general education programs in the development of work skills. Vocational graduates perceived their education programs to be more effective overall, and in technology and occupational preparation, than…

An interview with a mother and daughter living in an intentional community in New Hampshire explores how their choices about lifestyle have shaped them, how homeschooling worked for them, the role of other community adults in raising children, why the daughter left and later returned, and how community is more than proximity to other people. (TD)

Investigates the influence of formal academic training, informal on-the-job training, and related professional and personal experiences of hospice social workers on preparation for their work. Findings suggest that social workers view both the generalist or core courses as well as specialist and elective courses as important preparation.…

Online education programs are in their infancy at traditional colleges and universities, although much of the growth in this area is within these institutions. The nontraditional students they serve are satisfied and, despite qualms about cheating and intellectual property, so are most professors who teach online. (Author/MSE)

A study of how patrons think and behave as they seek information at a major research library (Johns Hopkins University) reveals the need to provide the kinds of services and programs that meet the actual needs and preferences of patrons. Focusing on what librarians think is needed can result in poor service. (Author)

In a large-scale user survey at Washington State University (WSU), respondents rated current services, print materials, and electronic resources, and prioritized those services and resources in terms of importance to their work (outlined in appendix). Respondents also ranked services and resources that might be offered. User profiles were…

Compared adjustment in adoptive and biological parents rearing 1- to 12-year-olds with Down syndrome. Found that birth mothers and fathers were functioning quite similarly to adoptive mothers and fathers on family strengths, marital adjustment, and resources and stress. Birth mothers displayed higher personal burden than adoptive mothers, with the…