Three special educators (Brown, McDonnell, and Billingsley) respond to a review in the same issue by Wolery and Schuster. The first urges a paradigm shift in researching these issues, the second urges more study on the complexities of providing individualized instruction in the regular classroom, and the third stresses the need to examine effects…

Using statistical stereotypes may be a means of improving the effectiveness of information-filtering systems that are based on user profiles. Highlights include information and expert systems that use stereotypes, assigning users to stereotypes, integrating stereotypes into a model for information filtering, and future research. (Author/LRW)

Presents a series of speeches by three past presidents of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) about the future of the association and educational research in general. Two of the three explain why they are highly critical of the field they helped lead; the third suggests a redirection towards more comprehensive theories from the…

Offers observations and reflections on research and research issues in the field of language arts. Discusses issues and factors significant to the state and future of language arts research, including: sociopolitical context, new and old issues confronting the field, and research needed for the public good. (SR)

Finds several themes emerging in conversations about emergent literacy research: the field is alive and well; a new distinguishing factor is that the research frame has shifted from a cognitive to a sociocultural one; studies that extend over longer periods and across different sociocultural contexts are needed; and resist jumping to instructional…

Contends that the changing constellation of semiotic and spatial practices associated with new media and online literacies constitutes a very different object of research than has been addressed by literacy researchers. Concludes that literacy researchers need to develop new repertoires of literacy practices in relation to everyday use of…

Proposes that emotions should be regarded as important components of learning. Focuses on recent trends in composition relating to how the emotions have or have not been included in discussions emphasizing writing instruction. Suggests opportunities for further research that give attention to emotion. (PM)

Discusses problematic aspects of multilingualism, looks for plausible reasons to explain the deficits educators have to deal with, and gives a brief sketch of what appears to the author as recommended directions for future research. Concludes that multilingual reading instruction must rely on responsive instruction and reflective teaching. (SG)

Reviews current approaches to evaluation of training both in theory and in practice. Highlights include complexities associated with evaluation practice; possible means of expediting the performance of evaluations; expanding the range and precision of data collection using automated systems; and recommendations for further research. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the role of ontology in knowledge representation, including enabling content-based access, interoperability, communications, and new levels of service on the Semantic Web; reviews current ontology generation studies and projects as well as problems facing such research; and discusses ontology mapping, information extraction, natural…

The paper describes current research interests and priorities of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, relates those interests to dentistry and oral health, and discusses the development of practice guidelines within the context of other initiatives of the Agency including the Medical Treatment Effectiveness Program. (DB)

Discussion of computer-assisted learning (CAL) and the instructional functions of audio highlights the development of an interactional audio-CAL system used for second-language learning. Levels of interactivity in media are discussed, hardware that would add audio to a CAL system is described, and future research is suggested. (10 references) (LRW)

Using three Oakland, California, case studies concerned with implementing the Public Works and Economic Development Act (1965), this article explores the limits of science in policy implementation. Sources of uncertainty are examined and the science of chaos introduced as a possible interpretive framework for extending policy science. Includes 20…

Discusses term weighting formulae and their use for selecting new terms to enhance a search statement and for weighting the terms for retrieval purposes once selected. The Swets model of information retrieval system performance is described, an approach to term selection is presented, and future research is suggested. (five references) (LRW)

Describes a study that analyzed a sample of library and information science journal citations from 1985-88 to determine authors' institutional affiliations. Authors from the private sector, academic librarians, and library and information science faculty are discussed, and suggestions for further research are given. (eight references) (LRW)