This study assessed child maltreatment group differences in 530 families receiving intensive family preservation services based on the HOMEBUILDERS model. Results indicated that neglectful families, compared to abusive ones, were poorer and more likely to be headed by a single parent, to have mental health and substance abuse problems, and to have…

Home-based and school-based programs that have presented sexual abuse prevention information through films, theatrical presentations, books, lectures, and behavioral skills training are evaluated. Results of program evaluations have shown that behavioral skills training packages are the most effective method of teaching self-protection skills and…

Presents a critique of published learner control studies that highlights problems with definitions of learner control, theoretical foundations, treatment duration, outcome measures, sample sizes, and conclusions. Recommendations are made concerning the exploration of alternative models for research focused on learner control and other aspects of…

Evaluated statistical primary prevention drug abuse program for middle school students. Control group outperformed experimental group on self-esteem dimension. Results indicated existence of John Henry Effect as confounding explanation of self-esteem outcome. Suggests that measurement of factors such as self-esteem be conducted in settings where…

A discussion of research in institutional advancement presents conceptualizations of research in the field, describes the evolution of its methods and applications, lists milestone publications, gives examples of major studies in various categories of investigation, reviews strengths and weaknesses, examines barriers to progress, and offers…

A review of 208 studies of children with learning disabilities (LD) published in 10 major journals between 1988 and 1990 examined the extent to which recommendations concerning research design and reporting made in 1980 and 1984 have been implemented. The review found continuing problems, including imprecise subject descriptions, heterogeneous…

To investigate mistakes in the reporting of diagnostic efficiency statistics, all studies of the diagnostic performance of self-report scales in two psychological journals published between 1980 and 1991 were reviewed. Of 26 relevant studies, 9 had an error in calculation of diagnostic efficiency. Implications are discussed. (SLD)

A former member of the IEA's global "invisible college" reflects on some aspects of the organization's work and findings, pointing out that international differences in achievement are generally smaller than within-nation differences and that national differences in context and input are associated with broadly similar outcomes. Also…

Using research to develop a solid educational foundation can accommodate diverse forces confronting educators, initiate systemic change, and help solve the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR)/class-size puzzle. Small K-3 classes are effective and can be efficient if changes are research-based and exploit class-size and PTR differences. (25 references) (MLH)

The author, formerly a principal, examines her experience as a research subject to demonstrate the harmful potential of qualitative research that tries too hard to "emancipate" participants. She herself became a casualty of invasive inquiry, defined as a violation of self. Personalization of study findings is ill-advised. (24 references)…

Surveys journalism and mass-communication researchers regarding the extent to which they have experienced unprofessional behavior by editors and referees in the evaluation of manuscripts. Finds that the primary complaint is that editors do not reach publication decisions within a reasonable period of time. (SR)

L. Ku supports the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program as effective in improving children's health. D. Besharov and P. Germanis reiterate their earlier criticisms that the program is less effective than commonly believed and that research evidence about its effectiveness is flawed. (SLD)

Investigates predictions derived from the Karmiloff Smith framework for understanding the process of cognitive development. Finds broad support for the model but also indicates that behavior for some tasks is more variable than expected; and, contrary to expectations, that more abstract tasks did not disrupt behavior to any large extent. (DSK)

Inquires whether educational science lacks research on boys and male adults. Contrasts arguments that there is a lack of research on males, with suggestions that such research already exists. Advances a theory of a modern socialization of the sexes and uses it to develop a critical pedagogy of the sexes. (DSK)

Demonstrates the extent to which school-level performance in the British General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) program is underpinned by variations in the socioeconomic backgrounds of students. Concludes that uncontextualized performance statistics are flawed, and that policies for school improvement must address underlying constraints…