This study extends the research on being imitated by assessing its impact on the model's reward of the imitator and on the imitator's reward value relative to a juxtaposed nonimitating confederate. 48 first grade students of primarily middle socio-economic class served as subjects. (Author/RK)

Examining the validity of a theory scientifically requires careful attention to how one interprets data. Unfortunately the process is not clear-cut; the theoretical meaning of empirical data is not obvious. The experimental study by Avery et al. (1976) of empathic understanding (EU) is analyzed along with Horwitz's (1977) rejoinder. (Author)

Argues that not only is the study of interaction in second language acquisition (SLA) predicated on a socially impoverished view of interaction, but also that the types of data frequently used for investigating questions of interaction in a second language may not be adequate for determining what really occurs in such interactions. (15 references)…

Discusses R. Herrnstein's and C. Murray's attempt to persuade an educated white readership that they, the readers, are genetically, socially, and intellectually superior. The most effective criticisms are those that rely on scientific evidence about the manipulation of data and flawed analyses rather than the display of moral outrage. (SLD)

Presents and interprets data concerning United States library referenda held in fiscal year 1995. Out of 45 capital fund elections, 39 (87%) were successful; and 52 out of 70 (74%) operating fund referenda passed. The article and six tables provide information on voting totals, funding levels, election specifications, and ballot competition. Nine…

Storage and financial considerations prompted a reshelving study of 300 scientific review titles which found that about half of all titles at Pennsylvania State University were used at least once and that periodicals were used more often than monograph series. As a result, periodical titles were incorporated into the journal collection and series…

Replies to a report on three toddlers who evidenced a late vocabulary spurt. The article argues that differences in assessing productive vocabulary and the questionable inference that size of the lexicon is a reliable indicator of the vocabulary spurt make it inappropriate to compare these children to previous studies directly measuring change in…

The Markov random graphs of O. Frank and D. Strauss (1986) and the estimation strategy for these models developed by Strauss and M. Ikeda (1990) are promising contributions. This paper describes a large class of models that can be used to investigate structure in social networks and illustrates their use. (SLD)

Nine types of errors occurring in the process of synthesizing research are described, with examples from a recent synthesis of research on teacher professional growth. Types of errors include excluding relevant literature, wrongly reporting details such as sample size, erroneously attributing findings to studies, and stating unwarranted…

Data collection and assessment processes used by a nursing school are described. Sources include student achievement data from tests, projects, journals, case studies, community service, and clinical practicums. The ways in which data are organized, presented, and used are discussed. (SK)

Distinguishes between "research methods" and "research methodology" in social science research, particularly in the field of comparative education. Discusses the influence of the researcher's theoretical orientation on his or her choice of methods for data collection and data analysis, and the importance of scholars outlining this…

Describes collaboration among a group of scientists and considers how their experiences are socially shaped. Data analysis of interviews, observations of videoconferences and meetings, and a sociometric survey led to the development of a framework that identifies forms of collaboration that emerged among scientists and factors which influenced…

Total costs were determined for five separate models of connecting schools to the National Information Infrastructure. The results indicated that hardware was a fraction of the overall cost, start-up costs increased at a faster rate than annual ongoing costs for more complex models, and costs were significantly reduced when aggregated at the…

Discussion of information-seeking behavior focuses on a study of the imposed query, as opposed to self-generated queries, in an elementary school library media center in order to quantify its presence, to record characteristics of the users that carry them, and to identify the persons imposing them. The coding sheet is appended. Contains one table…

The Accident Frequency-Severity Chart (AFSC) is a tool for correctly assessing and appropriately coping with risks inherent in adventure programs. The AFSC helps to measure risk frequency (likelihood of loss) and severity (amount of loss) of specific outdoor activities. The AFSC can also be used to compare safety records of outdoor activities and…