A content analysis of 10,279 dissertation abstracts in education from 1950 to 1990 shows that the descriptive design, predominantly in surveys, has dominated. Almost one-fourth of the dissertations used no statistics, and almost one-third failed to find statistically significant results. Few changes are apparent over the years. (SLD)

Uses content analysis of television characters in all occupations across 30 seasons to test the argument that television entertainment depicts business negatively. Reaffirms that television stigmatizes the occupation of business, independently of economic factors. Notes that these results pose a challenge to mass communications theory that…

Examined the effects of readers' gender and passage content on second language (L2) reading comprehension. Participants--who were intermediate Spanish learners--read two different authentic passages. Two measures were used to assess comprehension: A written recall and multiple-choice questions. Findings reveal significant interactions between…

A study of 139 textbooks written over the last 40 years. Recent texts are found to give more coverage to the psychology of later life, and many seek to present a positive image of aging and older adults. These treatments, however, often contain material that perpetuates stereotypes. (EVL)

Describes and evaluates seven organizational/motivational academic research guides, and points out their value to the dissertation writer. States doctoral students frequently rely on major professors and fellow students in learning how to plan, execute, and document their work. Recommends incorporating these guides into dissertation strategies.…

Concept mapping, a technique of graphically representing concepts and their hierachical interrelationships along two dimensions, was used to examine the growth of student teachers' knowledge concerning planning over three sequenced courses. It is demonstrated that this technique may be useful in assessing individual growth and program…

Presents a year-long study of the duties, skills, and knowledge required of business- and technical-communication professionals in Boston, Massachusetts. Focuses on six categories of practice: technical communication, publishing, public relations, marketing, development, and training. Suggests that in the next decade communication practitioners…

Described are features of a theoretical model for fluid pressure. Analyzes six introductory physics textbooks based on an introduction and meaning of the pressure concept; characteristics of pressure; and liquid as a pressure transmitter. Presents three models of pupils' conceptions. (YP)

Looks at changes in attitudes toward the intellectual development of infants and young children in the United States during the 20th century. Conducts a content analysis of samples of articles from the popular literature of the period. (KO)

Focuses on reasoning processes people used to decide whether to support President Reagan during the Iran-Contra Affair and the role of the media in that reasoning process. Finds that the media framed the affair as a valence issue rather than a position issue, and that highly sophisticated people demonstrated a higher level of complex reasoning…

Critiques an article that compared genuine suicide notes with simulated notes. Elaborates on theoretical and methodological difficulties, noting a lack of hypotheses, operationalized constructs, and prediction testing. Examines the operational design used in the article and suggests that the study of suicide notes in such a fashion should cease.…

Examined students' self-descriptions of situations, individuals, and incidents that evoked feelings of guilt to determine developmental and gender differences in guilt. Content analysis revealed changes in percentage of students at three grade levels who spontaneously mentioned a situation as guilt producing. Striking and distinctive patterns in…

This examination and discussion of the types and quantity of government resources produced for children from 1940 to 1990 reveals that most books aimed at young readers deal with the following topics: safety education, drug abuse, the environment, health, Native American folktales, birth control, and stamp collecting. A 159-item annotated…

Reports results of a study of a grant initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis to promote the adoption of a planning program in 25 small academic libraries. The role of incentives to motivate organizational change and adoption of innovations is discussed, and further research is suggested. (seven references) (LRW)

Describes content of 50 introductory sociology textbooks in their coverage of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease. Reports that, although by 1987 HIV was covered in 26 texts, many aspects were neglected. Concludes teachers should concentrate on slighted areas including the difference between…