Asserts that, while historians value public communication, their view of the public is dominated by traditional college classroom demographics. Maintains that historians should broaden these boundaries to include nontraditional students. Describes efforts in Wyoming to present history in public meetings. (CFR)

Examines practices and training of historians and sociologists. Cites problems in both fields for graduate students interested in social science approaches to historical questions in developing generalized interests into well-defined research topics. Suggests that collaboration will help sociology students ground research in historical evidence…

Explores the roles of information brokers and information consultants. Topics discussed include reasons for the emergence of information brokers, including technological, sociological, economic, and political factors; legal and ethical considerations; implications for libraries; access to information; future prospects; and the information industry…

Reports on three separate studies conducted to determine a consensus list of psychology's great books. Describes the 3 studies, including 1 of 39 college-level psychology departments, another of 186 psychologists, and a third study of 83 leaders of the American Psychological Association. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 110 Detroit (Michigan) domestic assault cases to determine whether victim preference about arrest of the assailant had an impact on police behavior and the recurrence of violence. Finds that mandatory arrest policies reduces police discretion and ignores victim preference. (CFR)

Two research courses where teachers explore how scientific enterprise generates new knowledge are described. Teachers are paired with mathematics and science researchers in the public and private sectors so that they experience the culture of the research community and apply research techniques in varied research settings. Concept maps, specific…

Presents results of a survey comparing British and U.S. political scientists' familiarity with different journals, evaluations of journal quality, and measures of journal impact. Concludes that British and U.S. subjects agree about quality but read different sets of journals. Reports the two groups' familiarity with different literature,…

Introduces eight articles on the Integrated Information Center (IIC) Project, which investigated significant behavioral, technological, organizational, financial, and legal factors involved in the management of IICs. Four articles address design and management issues of general interest, and four focus on specific design considerations and a…

Stresses the danger of sociological fieldwork in Latin America for researcher and subject. Recommends that the researcher build a network of contacts for support and protection. Discusses the interpersonal relations, problems of security, and field entry techniques involved in sensitive research situations. Suggests unobtrusive methods of research…

Few U.S. youths particularly from minority groups, pursue careers in science or environmental health. This description of efforts to boost the number of black scientists considers why such initiatives may not work. Economic concerns and the low prestige of many college science programs contribute to minority disinterest in science. (SLD)

Contends that, although computers are used frequently in undergraduate experimental design and statistics courses, they also can be used in courses with different instructional objectives. Describes a course designed to teach the roles of professional psychologists through the use of computers. (CFR)

Maintains that the choice of geography as one of the core subjects in the America 2000 and Goals 2000 reform plans provides an opportunity to increase its role in the school curriculum. Argues that those who chose geography have a different view of the discipline than professional geographers. (CFR)

Reports on study of whether the research agendas of economists who graduate from highly regarded research universities differ from those who graduate from lower-ranked institutions. Finds that, in econometrics, money, international economics, and industrial organization, research topics flow from the elite to the rank-and-file schools; however,…

Lists 55 skills and personal attributes that were identified by a panel at the 1998 Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) Conference as essential for new library/information science employees. It is indicated that a solid professional knowledge base is assumed in potential employees by virtue of a degree from an…

Discusses chemical information services offered in industrial chemical libraries, based on experiences at the 3M Library. Topics include qualifications of chemical information professionals; corporate culture; clients; services, including reference, current awareness, confidentiality, and end-user support; and information resources, including…