Examined interrelationships of family, child care, and children in the family day-care system to portray the ecology of family day care. Found that families did not choose caregivers who resembled themselves in terms of socioeconomic status, childrearing preferences, and stress. Family day-care quality was associated with conditions of caregiving…

Tips include (1) don't confuse replication with simulation; (2) choose the right subject; (3) develop a design plan; (4) make trainees responsible for actions; (5) use symbols for emotionally charged ideas; (6) don't play games; (7) use nontrainees for realism; (8) assess performance appropriately; (9) alpha test in low-risk situations; and (10)…

As followup to research on how weighted grades affect admission decisions of private college and universities, this article presents findings on effect of weighted grades on admission practices in public colleges and universities. Majority of admission directors surveyed believed that high school grades should be weighted. (NB)

Discusses four new book photocopiers and major equipment factors--paper, toner, ultraviolet light, and machine design--that should be considered in preservation photocopying. An approach for selecting a copier is suggested. The appendix includes a table of specification data for the copiers and a checklist for copier evaluation. (25 references)…

Discusses the use of portfolio assessment to monitor student progress. Includes description of portfolios and methods for evaluating them. Includes 13 references of first-hand accounts by teachers who have used portfolio assessment. (JOW)

After a brief review of previous studies of justifying claims in evaluation practice, an analysis is provided using the jurisprudence metaphor of S. Toulmin (1958) in the assessment of evaluative arguments. Applications and implications for evaluation practice are discussed. (SLD)

Outlines ten factors to consider before buying a scanner: size of document; type of document; color; speed and volume; resolution; image enhancement; image compression; optical character recognition; scanning subsystem; and the option to use a commercial bureau service. The importance of careful analysis of requirements is emphasized. (AEF)

Suggests there is no one formula for evaluating picture books--evaluators need to look at literary standards, artistic criteria, the illustrator's purpose, cultural attributes in the images, and the artwork's effect on a child. (RS)

Discusses the role of human performance technology in improving performance in organizations; explains the criteria used for designing an international training program of instructional and performance technology; and addresses steps necessary to move an organization towards a continuous learning organization. Examines the role of human resource…

Proposes eight criteria for assessing learning material for distance education institutions based on an analysis of trends in the field of learning and elements of a typical learner profile. The criteria have implications for the material's accessibility and relevancy, language of instruction, intended outcomes, responsiveness to societal…

Discusses criteria for judging space/time cases in parliamentary debate and comments on the controversy with regard to issues of appropriateness and adjudication. Presents four short responses to the points raised in this article. (PA)

Discusses a rank-ordering exercise designed to highlight evaluation issues involved in development of simulation training activities. The rank-ordering exercise raised awareness of internal and external validity issues, and highlighted the need for evaluation "checks" to be made during the planning stages of any research of consultancy…

Human resource managers (n=277) identified six management competencies as critical: leadership, customer focus, results orientation, problem solving, communication skills, and teamwork. However, many companies do not assess these competencies in the management performance appraisal process. (Contains 22 references.) (SK)

Based on a conception in which a musical composition determines aesthetic-normative properties, a distinction is drawn between two notions of performance: the "autonomous", in which a performance is regarded as a musical work on its own, and the "intentionalistic", in which it is regarded as essentially of a particular work. An ideal…

In addition to information about phonology, morphology and syntax, lexical entries contain semantic information about participants (e.g., Agent). However, the traditional criteria for determining how much participant information is lexically encoded have proved unreliable. We have proposed two semantic criteria (obligatoriness and selectivity)…