Compares various research techniques used by anthropologists and historians to explain the past and to provide insights into other cultures. Employs examples from various historical periods and cultural studies (particularly the enlightenment) to show that uniform, unmediated objectivity across cultures is neither necessary nor desirable. (DB)

Examined preschoolers' suggestibility when initial beliefs about an object's identity were contradicted by experimenter's suggestion. Found that subjects were good at accepting the suggestion only when the experimenter was better informed than they. Children were least accurate at reporting whether their final belief was based on what they were…

This study compared attitudes toward social limits among adolescents detained for criminal offenses and nondetained adolescents. Findings indicated significant differences between groups in knowledge of behavioral alternatives and behavioral intentions. Nondetained youth reporting high rates of undersocialized behavior were more inclined to…

The differences among elaborative-interrogation, reading-to-understand, and no-exposure control conditions with familiar domain material in contrast to unfamiliar domain material were studied for 50 Canadian and 50 west German undergraduates. Results provide evidence of effects of both elaborative interrogation and prior knowledge on learning.…

Interviews with 21 high-functioning adults with autism and 20 mildly to moderately mentally retarded adults without autism indicated that the mentally retarded group had more sexual experiences, with no intergroup differences in sexual knowledge or interest. Intelligence quotient was positively correlated with knowledge scores and males had…

Ninety-two high school students were administered a questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Gifted students had better AIDS-related knowledge than average students. Girls had slightly more positive AIDS-related attitudes and beliefs than boys. (Author/JDD)

Examines what songs are familiar to most people. Uncovers various epistemological definitions of what it means to "know" a song. Discovers how many of the 42 songs listed in Music Educators National Conference (MENC) publication, "Get America Singing Again!", appeared in previous investigations and in community song movement books. (CMK)

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities receive a majority of their formal education in general education settings where they must be taught the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to lead fully equitable and participatory lives in a democratic society. Given the need for all students to acquire civic understanding, the purpose of…

In this study, the authors conducted a mixed analysis of student perceptions of their best high school teachers. The sample of 257 preservice teachers from a College of Education in California described their best high school teacher. From their descriptions, qualitative analysis through the method of constant comparison yielded eight themes:…

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge levels of popular biotechnological issues of Turkish science and elementary teacher candidates. A questionnaire was administered during 2006-2007 school term to 336 students pursuing their education in the departments of science and elementary education in two Turkish universities. The…

A group-process approach to standard setting was compared to an independent approach for a medical specialty certification examination. Both approaches used the Angoff (1971) standard-setting method. In the group-process method, reviewers discussed items and their ratings during the rating process; in the independent condition, reviewers provided…

The major purpose of a study was to identify the knowledge, skill, and cognitive process differences between expert and novice technicians on technical troubleshooting tasks. Identification of these differences was conducted through two investigations. Investigation 1 sought to describe differences in the declarative and procedural knowledge bases…

To determine college students' level of geographic awareness, a test was administered to 2,200 students (both freshmen and upperclassmen) in eight colleges and universities in North Carolina. The test, which required students to complete statements about geography, was patterned after a geography examination sponsored by the New York Times in 1950…

To examine the importance of being literate in the technology of telecommunication, the attitudes of three populations were studied: college students, academics, and industry professionals. Altogether 266 names and addresses were compiled. Using a quota strategy, industry professionals were drawn from several segments of the telecommunication…

This study was conducted to design an objective examination to measure the knowledge of superintendents and principals in the area of vocational education needs and programs. Examination of the literature showed: (1) Academic preparation is available on a very limited basis in the area of vocational education needs and programs, (2) Administrators…