Twenty-seven social service agencies in Anchorage, Alaska were examined for purposes of determining the: (1) organizational structure of Anchorage social service systems, (2) impact of agency structures on Alaska Native clients, and (3) extent to which agency organizational structures reflect the interests and values of bureaucrats and…

Evaluation roles used in the Department of Research and Development in the Cincinnati Public Schools are identified and described. These include: project evaluator, local-school evaluator, independent program evaluator, external evaluator and external auditors. The merits of each evaluation role will be discussed as to its relationship with…

Political orientations in children during a time period when Watergate and its ramifications were dominant political events are studied. The theoretical framework adopted for the study is one in which political learning is seen as evolving through an invariant sequence of developmental stages dependent on physical and intellectual growth. After…

The Mass Communication and Society Division of the proceedings contains the following 12 papers: "Free Congress Research and Education Foundation: An Extremist Organization in Think Tank Clothing?" (Sharron M. Hope); "Presence in Informative Virtual Environments: The Effects of Self-Efficacy, Spatial Ability and Mood" (Lynette…

Evaluation procedures and programs in the Cincinnati, Ohio school system, the role of local school evaluators, and the models for school evaluation--based on high, moderate, or low trust--are described. Evaluators serve local schools in formative and summative evaluation projects, in assessing needs, and in meeting them. (MH)

Describes a series of in-class simulations where class members assume the role of psychologists accused of various ethical violations and appear before a mock committee. The role play recreates formal complaint hearings that result in official rulings and set appropriate penalties and remedial requirements. (MJP)

Children ages 3-6 years were interviewed following a scheduled pediatric clinic visit to assess their ability to remember and report incidents of body touch. Follow-up interviews were conducted after one and six months. Results suggest that children actively and accurately process their experiences and that the quality and quantity of their…

Reflects upon Steward and Steward essay on improving understanding of children as witnesses. Focuses in particular on the effect on legal proceedings of a poorly conducted or highly suggestive interview. Suggests that the major problem today is whether a child's account has been contaminated by delays or through interactions with others, and…

Examines the rationale and design of evaluations of interview protocols to be used in sexual abuse cases. Comments on the findings of Steward et al. study, in the contexts of cost-benefit analysis and ecological validity. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques, such as enhanced interviews, anatomical dolls,…

Describes characteristics and activities of university-based education policy centers. Summarizes the circumstances surrounding the establishment of these centers, and focuses on the missions and activities of existing centers. Discusses the rationale for a national network of centers, and surveys issues to be addressed. Lists 18 university-based…

Reviews and analyzes the politicization of investigations of child abuse, emphasizing the issues of veracity and substantiation of child abuse reports. Scrutinizes recent major litigation illustrating the loss of professional objectivity. Political and ideological agendas are undermining the credibility of the mental health and social work…

Discussion of scientific journals and the use of electronic tools focuses on a study in New Zealand that investigated the feasibility of CD-ROM instead of printed journals for scientific publishing. Highlights include software choice; prototype publication; sampling method; document delivery; credibility and durability; and future possibilities.…

Examines the failure of colleges of education to address racial diversity and teacher preparation issues. Research supports that teacher immediacy, or communication that facilitates physical and psychological closeness, positively influences teacher effectiveness, credibility, and the teacher/student relationship. Teacher trainers must become bold…

The Advertising section of the Proceedings contains the following 18 papers: "The Birth of Adwatches: Political Advertising Becomes Front-Page News" (Jennifer Greer); "A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Effects of Source Credibility on Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions" (Kak Yoon, Choong Hyun Kim, and Min-Sun Kim);…

The question of whether academicians are or should be ethical requires serious discussion, especially given the presence of select instances of unethical behavior among some professionals. One history professor responded to claims that he was a boring lecturer by presenting videotaped instruction; one English professor failed a student on an exam…