Discusses the evaluation of library instruction through observations of student and faculty at the reference desk of university libraries. Bad effects (guilt, overconfidence, indignation) and good effects (patience, adventurousness, trust) of library instruction are noted, and characteristics of more successful academic library instruction are…

Educational researchers feel that "artistic" models of procedure might not yield material of great value. The most difficult problem is that the more researchers wish to tap the vivid description and deep human insight which the arts can generate, the less they can expect to achieve a neutral presentation of facts. (JN)

Comprehensive assessment of educational systems can assist educators in improving the nature of formal education. Goals of education are long range and very general. By observing, describing and classifying teacher and student behaviors, realistic and immediate goals can be established. Effective assessment aids administrative decisions by…

Attempts to achieve a relatively comprehensive empirical description of the mother-infant relationship at the age of six months, with special focus on possible correlates of infant developmental competence. One hundred and sixty-eight mother-infant pairs contributed data on a wide variety of measures. (Author/RH)

This study was designed to observe the decision-making processes of a special education team and to record the extent and nature of regular classroom teachers' participation. Classroom teachers were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting. (Author/DB)

Describes an observational analysis of 34 special education team meetings, in which characteristics of effective team meetings were evaluated. In general, the meetings tended to be unstructured, nongoal-oriented, and limited to the extent in which individuals participated in decision making. Offers recommendations for improved practice.…

Discusses interaction analysis, a procedure for objectively recording and analyzing the verbal interchange between instructors and students, which can aid instructors in setting goals for improving their instruction. Specific topics covered include instructor behavior when working with students, a process for objectively analyzing teacher…

The author discusses the methodology underlying the national survey, Primary Education in England, and the way data are presented. He finds much to commend and some things to criticize. (Editor/SJL)

Examines peer group support among Soviet day care children. Fifty-six boys and 59 girls (16 to 37 months of age) from a Moscow nursery school were observed with or without a stranger present in one of three conditions: with a familiar peer, with an unfamiliar peer, or with no peer. (CM)

Cites materials in the ERIC system concerning research on classroom communication and its implications, and notes some of the problems with that research. (HTH)

Uses the reports of senior students as a criterion in examining the hypothesis that reports that teachers present on their classroom behavior suffer from bias. Concludes that the extent of the bias is not great. (Author/IRT)

In this study previously unacquainted two-year-olds formed a group structure coincident with a stabilization of social relations. The children's formation of a dominance hierarchy for object conflicts, reflected in part by an increasing group structural rigidity, was marked by a decrease in the likelihood of resistance to aggression. (Author/DB)

Presents an outline for procedures to be followed in order to insure the successful outcome of a class field trip in science. The outline provides a framework within which hesitant teachers can feel comfortable about taking children into the outdoors. (Author/JC)

Reports on the implementation of an adolescent group psychotherapy process. (RH)