Manipulated two aspects of the general empathy training situation in an attempt to produce higher levels of "empathic responding" following a brief training program. Results showed the experimental manipulations increased more empathic responses in the group asked to display competence than in the group asked to learn "empathic responding."…

Discusses problems with the use of stochastic (probabilistic) models for the analysis of juvenile offense data. Analyzes longitudinal data for White and non-White delinquents which show significant evidence of offense specialization and a random distribution of offenses if no specialization occurs. (Author/GC)

Investigates the extent of differences among survey results obtained as responses to an initial letter, a second letter, and a third contact by telephone or handwritten letter. There were considerable differences among the results from the three different contacts, with the later respondents being more negative in their answers. (CT)

Tested the hypothesis that subjects with elevated MMPI profiles would exhibit qualitatively different word associations from those with normal MMPI profiles. Results are interpreted as demonstrating the construct validity of the Sc scale in that the more pathological the profile, the greater degree of cognitive disturbance exhibited. (Author)

The Sarason Test Anxiety Scale was administered to students immediately after a course examination and to other students after a regular class period. A significant relationship between test anxiety and examination scores was obtained for the former group, and no significant relationship was found when intelligence was partialed out. (Author)

Describes common methodological inadequacies in research on treatment of obesity and suggests alternatives. Importance of multiple measurement of outcome is emphasized. Merits of alternative single-subject and between-groups experimental designs are discussed. Reasons for conspicuous lack of long-term follow-ups are analyzed. Recommendations for…

Examined methodological issues confronting psychologists who conduct research with correctional populations. Sections included intrusion of values; problems with trait-derived methodologies in correctional population research, including inadequate construct validity, ignoring environmental influences and ignoring subjects; naturalness and problems…

Reviews research on sex bias in psychological evaluation and psychotherapy. The experimental analogue continues to dominate the literature and to return a resoundingly negative verdict. This evidence is often discounted on the grounds of the analogue's transparency and clinical impoverishment. (Author)

Examines five procedures for evaluating teaching: student achievement; supervisors' ratings; students' evaluation of the teacher's proficiency; teacher self-evaluation; and teacher testing. For each, references are made to research studies and inherent limitations are discussed. (Author/SJL)

The article reviews issues regarding the role of attention in reading problems manifested by learning disabled students. Characteristics of attention (including arousal, alertness, vigilance, selective attention, and capacity) are considered. (CL)

This article suggests ways in which the consumer of educational research can critically evaluate research reports in terms of sample and methodology, design and statistical treatment, and results and interpretation. The reader is alerted to sources of deliberate and nondeliberate bias and to fallacious use and/or interpretation of statistics.…

Reexamines two recent papers in "Administrative Science Quarterly" (1977, EJ 167 789; 1978, EJ 188 620) by James C. March and James G. March on a study involving Wisconsin school superintendents. (Author/MLF)

The authors express their concerns about the research methodology and assumptions in Coker, Medley, and Soar's work on competency-based teacher education. (WD)

Argues that reports of research findings can be misleading and should be carefully evaluated. Uses a recent study on the relationship between television viewing and test scores as a case in point. (WD)

The influence of maternal stimulation on infant exploratory behavior was examined in both a cross-sectional/ correlational study and an experimental study, in order to overcome the limitations on making causal claims that attend most research into maternal influence on infant development. (Author/DB)