The growing dissatisfaction with current methods for rating affective symptoms in child and adolescent psychiatry necessitates the development of additional reliable methods of evaluating mood disorders. Reviews the limitations of self-report and interview assessment techniques as contrasted with observationally-based rating scales. (JPS)

Observers and mothers rated infant behavior in the home on dimensions of temperament once a week for eight weeks. Although week-to-week correlations were modest, aggregates of the eight observations had high reliability for both observers and mothers. When direct observations were compared with mother reports, little evidence of mother-observer…

Responses from 367 small businesses were used to formulate a four-step process audit: (1) business owner questionnaire; (2) interviews with owners and key personnel; (3) intensive observation; and (4) presentation of a detailed report. The process identifies areas of effectiveness/success and areas needing immediate or long-term action. (SK)

Observations of classroom practices of 2 teachers teaching the concept of square root in classrooms of 14- to 15-year olds found that the work that really took place in the classroom was often concentrated on different knowledge than that which the teacher wished to convey. (22 references) (MKR)

Analyzed metaphors used by science teachers in their classroom discourse and their influence on the image of science constructed by students. The use of role-determining objectivist metaphors signifies teachers' pedagogies being governed by an objectivist epistemology. Teachers need to reflect critically on their use of metaphors to develop a…

Y. S. Lincoln and E. G. Guba consider L. Sechrest's comments on their book "Fourth Generation Evaluation" as less a criticism than an attempt to demolish. D. M. Fetterman also objects to much of Sechrest's address. E. J. Posavac generally agrees with conclusions of Welch and Sternhagen. (SLD)

Six middle management continuing educators observed for three working days spent time as follows: 12 percent phone calls, 22 percent desk work, 31 percent scheduled meetings, 17 percent unscheduled meetings, 3 percent observing subordinates, and 7 percent travel. The workday was characterized by "hot action"--decision making in short bursts of…

With their principal's support, nine teachers at a Colorado elementary school developed a voluntary peer-appraisal process. The group met socially throughout the year to build trusting relationships, address process concerns, and explore learning possibilities. The first group of evaluated teachers provided valuable feedback and gained great…

A theory of visual information acquisition and visual memory is described that conjoins two models that have been used to describe low-level perceptual and higher level cognitive processes. Six experiments with 21 adult observers generally support the theory, although some weakness is discussed. (SLD)

This paper presents Professional Practical Knowledge research as a method for studying the observable action and invisible knowledge of early intervention service providers. The research provides practitioners with a special window through which intervention practices can be seen from a fresh perspective. The paper addresses the method's…

Demonstrated that time sampling is inaccurate for estimating durations or frequencies of behaviors. Also concluded that (1) individual or group differences can change depending on whether time sampling or continuous sampling is used; and (2) error rates are high when bout lengths of behaviors are short or when interval length is long. (BC)

Reviews alternatives to program evaluation. Suggested qualitative methods are interviews; participant observation; and journal analysis. Meaningful designs for evaluation are case studies; participatory and collaborative evaluation; and mixed methods. Uses for evaluation are utilization-focused evaluation; explicating and developing program…

Effective teacher evaluation strategies have several key elements, including involving key stakeholders in the decision-making process, establishing goals mutually, creating a time frame, emphasizing formative evaluation, revamping classroom observation practices, using rating scales sparingly, seeking training for evaluators, and identifying…

Concerns about situational assessment--proper setting and inappropriate use with severely disabled persons--prompted the following changes in its use in vocational rehabilitation: (1) recognition of differences between sheltered and actual work settings; (2) questioning of vocational assessment measures; and (3) focus on a person-centered…

Examples of real-world customer service situations were observed by business students, who then submitted papers and discussed them in class. Their questionnaire responses indicated the value of developing understanding through such an experiential class activity. (SK)