Organized as a bibliographic essay, this paper examines the many sources available for developing a theory of visual literacy. Several definitions are offered in order to clarify the meaning of the term "visual literacy" so that meaningful research can be conducted on the topic. Based on the review of resources, three recommendations are offered…

Trends in federal research and development funding that affect historically black colleges (HBCs) are outlined and statistical data provided. National Science Foundation data show almost no change in the HBC share of this funding from FY 1978 to FY 1979. The rise of HBC funding (12 percent) was exceeded by the figure for overall funding (14…

Current research on the adult learner and on instruction through media has grave flaws, and reviews of research in five areas are needed to assist instructional developers and adopters in making wise decisions. These include a critical analysis of existing telecourse packages, as well as reviews of research on the motivation of various subgroups…

Arguing that the decline in the number of community college students transferring to four-year colleges could have a more dramatic effect on baccalaureate-granting institutions than the projected drop in the number of high school graduates, this paper traces the history of the community college's transfer function and discusses the implications of…

The state of the art in observational studies is discussed, with emphasis on explanatory research--studies of program effectiveness in which an attempt is made to explain the reasons for the results as well as describing the results. In addition to the collection of data and presentation of statistical facts, the explanatory study involves the…

The paper explores the social and cultural processes in the schooling rituals of graduate students in anthropology. Four areas of concern are noted. The first area concerns rites of passage and professional competence. The author explains that the period of graduate professional schooling represents the second stage of a rite of passage after one…

The works of John Dewey and John Childs are reviewed with reference to the implications for research inherent in society's moral choice to provide a democratic education for its children. The selectivity of the educational system represents a moral choice in that it is a deliberate structuring of learning tasks, formulated by adults, for the…

Noting that one means of better understanding the nature of cultural differences is to elucidate the cognitive differences between members of differing cultures, this paper examines Alexander Luria's sociohistorical theory of functional cognitive systems. The paper first describes Luria's notion of functional systems, the crux of which postulates…

The possibility that judges' expectancy effects may adversely affect the results of jury trials is a problem that needs careful theoretical analysis and innovative methods of resolution. Traditional efforts by the legal community to counteract the threat of verbal/nonverbal bias by judges include the "Code of Judicial Conduct," curative…

The paper suggests that new values created by modern forms of leisure have intersected with critical changes in the work structure to form a new social pattern. The new pattern emerges from a crisis in industrial societies. Factors which have created this crisis include the rupture of the time frames of society (how work and non-work are…

Brief description of the focus of five areas of research into higher education conducted by the National Swedish Board of Universities and Colleges are presented. These five research or problem areas are as follows: the role of higher education in society, higher education as a system (structure and governance), the environment and working methods…

Proceedings of a study group that considered the utility of the Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) finance data for institutional and higher educational sector comparisons are presented, as are issue papers and descriptive information. The study group of representatives from higher education institutions and organizations outlined…

NEEDED RESEARCH IN TEACHER SELECTION IS DISCUSSED UNDER FOUR CATEGORIES. (1) TO IDENTIFY THE BEHAVIORS THAT DEFINE EFFECTIVENESS IN THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE TEACHING TASK, MANY SETS OF REQUIREMENTS ARE NEEDED, NOT A SINGLE SET. TASK ANALYSIS PROCEDURES AND CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUES ARE PROPOSED, AND DIFFERENCES AMONG STUDENTS (E.G., IN…

Finnish research in adult education falls into three categories: philosophical, historical, and empirical. (Philosophical research involves the analysis of the concept of adult education and its relationship to other levels of education. Empirical research embraces the psychological and sociological study of students, teachers, institutions, and…

This information paper on the major income and employment issues affecting older Americans survey the economic impacts of an aging population, presents an agenda for future research into principle income and employment policy issues, and provides an outline of those policy options to be reviewed as a basis for governmental policy formation.…