Discusses evaluation criteria for selecting authoring tools, including system complexity and language, cost, copy protection, ease of learning and use, graphics, sound, and peripheral interfacing capabilities, support documentation, overall performance, tutorials, instructional design and management features, and product support. A…

Examines correctness of answers received to reference questions in Maryland public libraries and investigates three categories of variables that might affect that correctness: resources (number of volumes, subscriptions, staff, setting); demand (contact, busyness); and behaviors (negotiation of inquiry, interest in question, comfort with question,…

A study was conducted to establish an equation for predicting group embedded figures test (GEFT) scores using Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) scores for reading and social studies, grade point averages, socioeconomic status, and student attitudes as predictor variables, and to determine correlation between these variables and the GEFT.…

Examines how test anxiety affects children in certain evaluation situations and focuses on developing more valid and effective measurement procedures in school achievement testings. Third and fourth graders were divided into three anxiety groups and tested under time and no time pressures. Anxiety level, time pressure, and sex affected…

Investigates the extent to which sex stereotypes impose competence (e.g., not knowing about objects) versus performance limitations (e.g., not performing for lack of reward) and the effects of sex stereotypes on exploration among 56 4- to 9-year-old children. (HOD)

Five performance measures suggested for use in public libraries are discussed in relation to corporate information centers: corporate awareness of library services; clients as percentage of jurisdiction population; reference transactions per capita; reference fill rate; timeliness of information delivery. Planning and survey questionnaires for…

A study designed to determine the extent of improvement in performance as a result of a structured experiential learning situation assessed particular techniques for reinforcing learning in a personnel administration class. Confidence in knowledge scores increased from pretest to posttest for most students, but only some knowledge scores…

Examined the relationship between empathy and grade point average in 201 secondary school students, who completed the National Consortium for Humanizing Education Communication Index. Results showed that communication of empathic understanding was related to academic performance, but the selection of an interchangeable response was not related.…

To estimate the relative effects of three types and three combinations of feedback on children's discrimination learning, a meta-analysis was performed on the findings of 89 studies. In general, reward compared to punishment or to reward plus punishment is the least efficient method of feedback for teaching children discrimination materials.…

Discusses from a systems-theory perspective the goals and functions of secondary education--and conditions affecting its performance--in western societies. Suggests definitions of the fundamental choices facing schools and principles to guide educational reform. (MCG)

Investigates the relationship between role stress and perceived intensity of burnout for reading specialists and compares the findings to those discovered for classroom teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers. (FL)

Tests the hypothesis that high-SES children process information more efficiently using mechanisms associated with the left hemisphere and that low-SES children process more efficiently using the right. A laterality task was administered tachistoscopically to 120 children, divided evenly by SES (high and low), sex, and grade (fifth and seventh).…

This study examined the effects of selected reader and task variables on reading comprehension performance. Several reader and task interaction effects were found to be significant, particularly for lookback conditions and constructed response tasks. Cognitive style interacted with hearing state on tasks involving lookback options. (Author/DWH)

This first in a series of six articles introducing microcomputer applications in smaller libraries discusses microcomputer components (hardware, operating systems, applications software); microcomputer history; current hardware; library applications; performance criteria; factors influencing performance; integrated systems; information retrieval;…

Determined if intelligence quotient mean test scores of middle school students could be increased through the use of money and praise. Results indicated lower class performance increased with monetary reward, whites' performance increased with verbal praise, and white females' and middle class males' performance increased with monetary reward…