The measurement of psychological states requires an entirely different technology from the classical personality inventory assessments of psychological traits. Differences in the requirements of state v trait measurement are discussed. Problems of naming, labelling, describing, defining, and interpretation are discussed in relation to…

Single-case designs make available areas not easily studied in group research and make demands on an investigator that are not easily met in clinical situations. Single-case designs appear relatively straightforward, which may foster problems. Best guide for interpretation is recognition of logic of designs and common methodological problems.…

Discussed methodological errors in child and marital treatment research. Made suggestions to avoid such errors. Areas covered are selection of subjects and therapists, scope and source of dependent measures, treatment specification and experimental design. Errors include unsubstantiated diagnoses; client labels; restricted outcome criteria; and…

Two approaches to development are identified--ecological and cognitive. A comparison of the two approaches is made, and decisions are made favoring the ecological approach. A detailed description of the advantages of the ecological approach is provided by means of a systems theory model. (Author/DB)

This article is based on a series of reviews on the supply of, and demand for, social science documents and data in the United Kingdom. Findings indicate that social scientists in the United Kingdom make relatively little use of library tools and information services. (Author/DB)

Cites materials in the ERIC system concerning research on classroom communication and its implications, and notes some of the problems with that research. (HTH)

Reports that the typical communication research study published from 1970 through 1976 was cross-sectional, was carried out in the United States only, cited literature published in the United States only, focused on the individual as the level of analysis, and used only sample survey data. (GT)

Describes conflicting findings about whether print advertisements are generally informative or persuasive; suggests research needs in this area. (GT)

A comparison of the data from the 1976 "Editor and Publisher" poll regarding newspapers' editorial endorsements with data from a survey of the nation's voters suggests that the poll overstates the partisanship of the press and its Republican bias. (GT)

Results supported the reliability of the behavior sample measure and one self-report form. Convergent validity was evident for all assertion instruments, but only the role-play measure showed pronounced discriminant validity. The utility of global self-ratings of assertion and anxiety was minimal. (Author)

This review of the procedures involved in using path analysis provides guidelines for more effective future utilization of recursive path analysis in the field of family studies. (Author)

Discusses conceptual problems with the traditional approach to the study of news bias; reports on a study conducted with 73 college students, which yielded data supporting the thesis that what news consumers see as biased news is often material that is discrepant with what they already believe. (GT)

Examines complexities involved in assessing the utility of political gaming in the analysis of foreign affairs, and reports an assessment of a political game conducted at the CIA to demonstrate assessment difficulties due to inherent uncertainties in both foreign affairs analysis and the gaming process. (CMV)

This position paper briefly highlights the more pervasive research and applications problems in science education and suggests a possible way to organize ideas so that psychological paradigms will have educational value. (CS)

Highlights steps for carrying out a needs assessment survey research effort in the Black community. Stresses the need for understanding (1) cultural-linguistic and historical factors, (2) the potential or inadvertent role of the researcher, and (3) the obstacles and resistance one may encounter in carrying out the survey and implementing its…