This article describes a system based on the Epson HX-20 used for real time (rather than time-sample) recording of behavior observation data, which allows the researcher additional options in analysis. Examples of the programs developed, types of research questions asked, and data analyses conducted are provided. (Author/PB)

The purpose of this study was to determine the minimal conditions of observation needed to obtain generalizable results across observers, trials, and subjects for the hop, jump, and run at the elementary level. Results are discussed. (JD)

Describes Britain's use of work shadowing, in which an observer follows a worker around for a period of time, observing the various tasks in which the worker engages. Considers potential relationship of work shadowing to work-related learning in the United States. (Author/NB)

The study investigated the ability of child protective service workers to distinguish videotaped interactions of physically abusive parent-child dyads from interactions of nonabuse dyads during a teaching task. Child protection workers achieved a 76 percent rate of accuracy in identify the abuse status of dyads after only three minutes of observed…

Rating errors in personnel evaluation are universal but may be minimized if administrators are aware of them. Research identifies seven types of error: unwarranted strictness, unwarranted leniency, central tendency, halo effect, recency, contrast, and attribution. Countermeasures include developing clear term definitions, using multiple raters,…

Describes data analysis activities for grades three to four and five to six based on popular television commercials. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Provides an analysis of America based on the travel accounts of several foreign visitors and diplomats over the course of U.S. history. Viewpoints are expressed that reveal an America with many contradictions and a dark side. (GLR)

Describes investigation systematically comparing influence of naturalistic social behaviors and nonbehavioral variables, measured by live observations, on development of peer status in unfamiliar boys attending summer research program. Participants included attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and comparison boys. Discusses implications for…

Consensus refers to the extent of two judges' agreement in rating a common target. A general model of interpersonal perception based on the weighted average model of N. H. Anderson (1981) is developed to show that increased acquaintance does not always lead to changes in consensus. (SLD)

Clinical supervision stresses face-to-face encounters with individual teachers about a specific teaching/learning situation. The process incorporates the use of specific objective data forming the basis for collaborating and aimed at instructional improvement. The five stages are preobservation conference, classroom observation, data and strategy…

Defines qualitative research and describes the growing interest in its use in library literature. Differences between qualitative and quantitative research are explained; and qualitative research techniques are described, including direct observation for case studies, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and oral history. (14 references) (LRW)

Local education authorities in the United Kingdom are drawing up policies for implementing principal evaluation. This article describes three case studies based on observations of three elementary school principals' daily activities. The exercise raised several issues, including the need for a whole school approach, a clearly delineated appraisal…

Observer's paradox, the basic problem facing any analyst interested in understanding how people talk to each other within naturally occurring contexts, is discussed. In observer's paradox, by recording or observing everyday interaction, one is contaminating interaction by process of observation. An extension to sociolinguistic method is suggested…

Evaluators should help teachers promote professional excellence, improve student learning, and realize classroom consistency. Consistent evaluators possess certain skills, including gathering factual data, observing objectively, gauging teachers' effectiveness at reinforcing lesson plans, establishing ameliorative guidelines through clinical…

Reports development of observation system, Preschool Observation Code (POC), for use across phases of preschool intervention design and evaluation. Describes purpose of code, procedures used for code, procedures used for code construction, and two related studies of interrater and criterion-referenced agreement. Discusses practical issues related…