Reexamines two recent papers in "Administrative Science Quarterly" (1977, EJ 167 789; 1978, EJ 188 620) by James C. March and James G. March on a study involving Wisconsin school superintendents. (Author/MLF)

The authors express their concerns about the research methodology and assumptions in Coker, Medley, and Soar's work on competency-based teacher education. (WD)

Argues that reports of research findings can be misleading and should be carefully evaluated. Uses a recent study on the relationship between television viewing and test scores as a case in point. (WD)

The influence of maternal stimulation on infant exploratory behavior was examined in both a cross-sectional/ correlational study and an experimental study, in order to overcome the limitations on making causal claims that attend most research into maternal influence on infant development. (Author/DB)

Points out essential problems and concerns which guide basic contemporary research on the state and society. Suggests that research should concentrate on five or six broad fields, including the theory of the state, connections between economic/social and political spheres, political-social consensus, and class relations. Research methodology is…

The present study eliminated many confounds by systematically manipulating the specific client sex role related variables of case history and symptomatology and presenting them to practicing mental health professionals in a setting that approximated their working environment. Little support was found for many of the widely held assumptions about…

Results of two studies indicate that the way in which Likert scale data are scored can make a difference when statistical significance tests are used. The studies raise a number of questions about the use of Likert scales in communication research. (GT)

Schools are social systems, not factories. Trying to develop a model of education accommodating this fact led John Goodlad to undertake a seven-year national study that he believes will give impetus to humanistic approaches to research while generating hypotheses that can be tested using traditionally objective research methods. (Author/PGD)

Assesses the changing social fabric theory of adolescence. (RH)

Criticizes the findings of the National Enquiry into Scholarly Communication as they relate to the publication of learned journals. Argues that the research in support of these findings violates acceptable procedures for collecting evidence and refutes recommendations for speeding up the manuscript review process and eliminating differential…

Critically evaluates habituation and related models for studying infant memory, focusing on methodological and substantive limitations which restrict the derivation of information from them. The essay considers existing research on the development of object permanence as an alternative source of information about infant memory. (Author/DB)

Considers how the changed ecological conditions confronting human societies challenge sociology. Concludes that sociology stands in need of a fundamental alteration in its disciplinary paradigm. Suggests a 'New Ecological Paradigm' which may better serve the field of sociology in light of the current recognition of ecological realities. (Author/DB)

It is suggested that the theoretical stance of Nisbett and Wilson's work on the limitations to conscious awareness of mental processes is not clearly formulated. Some methodological recommendations are listed, and a brief report is given of some experimental findings that seem counter to those of Nisbett and Wilson. (RL)

Reviews current practices and procedures in evaluation research, especially as they influence retrospective studies of extension programs such as 4-H. Discusses how program goals and funding sources affect evaluation, assesses the virtues and limitations of alternative evaluation strategies, and suggests ways of improving evaluation designs. (GC)