Provides a nontechnical explanation of the family of multivariate statistical techniques known as multidimensional scaling (MDS). Explains the purpose of MDS, and the advantages of using these techniques in the study of musical perception. Discusses two approaches to the interpretation of MDS solutions. Lists examples of musical studies using MDS.…

Investigators were surveyed on the topic of side effects coincident with baseline naturalistic observations of children. Reported side-effects usually involved exacerbation of problems already occurring. Children in clinical samples were more likely than those in naturalistic samples to display side-effects. (Author/BB)

Researchers should systematically seek out their subjectivity, not retrospectively when the data have been collected and the analysis is complete, but while their research is actively in progress. Demonstrates an example of this pursuit of subjectivity in the course of fieldwork. (Author/BJV)

Responds to Donald Dean Morley's reply (same issue). Discusses his claims about the use of multiple-message designs, the analysis of multiple-message designs, and generalization on logical grounds. (MS)

Examines in detail the political and ethical dilemmas encountered when results of the Barrow Alcohol Study generated considerable reaction in the scientific community, popular press, and local population. Argues difficulties might have been avoided with better insight into community belief regarding the nature of the problem and better community…

The effectiveness of knee braces in preventing knee injuries in football is inconclusive. This article reviews research from epidemiologic, cadaver, and surrogate studies; discusses reasons for conflicting study results, including research design problems; and describes alternative approaches that have been suggested. (IAH)

In restricted factor analysis, each element of the matrices of factor loadings and correlations and unique variances and covariances can be constrained. It is argued that the practice of constraining some parameters at zero is not psychologically meaningful. Alternative procedures are presented and illustrated. (TJH)

A method is presented for determining sample size that will achieve a pre-specified bound on confidence interval width for the interrater agreement measure "kappa." The same results can be used when a pre-specified power is desired for testing hypotheses about the value of kappa. (Author/SLD)

Describes a classroom demonstration that illustrates the error of using an inappropriate test to conclude that a specific ability does not exist within a subject or a population. Shows ways to expand the lesson to cover the issue of null conclusions. Points out social and methodological implications of the demonstration. (Author/LS)

Evaluated alternate assessment methods by comparing subject assertiveness, two methods of scene presentation, and two methods of response generation in repeated measures design. For self-efficacy, printed scene plus experimenter-prepared response condition yielded significantly higher ratings than all other conditions. For outcome expectancy,…

Recognizes some of the limitations of the field of behavioral genetics, but argues that the methods employed in multivariate behavior genetics and developmental behavior genetics have become the dominant paradigms in the field. (MDM)

Supports Gottlieb's conclusion that developmental behavior genetics is unsuitable for analyzing developmental coactional processes because it does not concern itself with mechanisms through which genotypes are transformed into phenotypes. But maintains that modern behavior genetics provides an indispensable tool to analyze nonlinear epigenetic…

Asks why critical approaches to educational administration have rarely moved beyond critique to transformative process. This failure may stem from critical research's incompatibility with motivating and sustaining a complex change process. This article reviews two phases of critical research in education, identifies features enhancing research…

Sketches some events in the life and career of Lowry Nelson, a rural sociologist, and relates these events to the development of rural sociology and the Rural Sociological Society. Asserts that the dream of using science to ameliorate social problems during the early development of rural sociology is still present today. (KS)

Presents situations in which researchers can use the general linear model to uncover reasons for discrepant effect-size results of meta-analysis of similar studies. Situations include similarly labeled treatments or participants differing in important ways, treatment effectiveness varying by subject aptitude or situational variables, research…