A critical review of the research methodology used in the Wilms study on the effectiveness of public and proprietary vocational training. Focus is on the overall design, data collection, data analysis, and derived conclusions and implications, with the conclusion that the study has some significant design and methodological limitations. (Editor/JT)

A 3-year research project (1974-77) in connection with the national campaign against adult illiteracy involves assessing the role of broadcasting in motivating adults to ask for help, investigating appropriate instructional media, and correlating the various learning situations and the subsequent social benefits. Some problems of research design…

The first article argues that systematic career planning should be abandoned, and replaced by a "good theory of non-rationality." That is, counselors should consider what actually influences career decisions, instead of bemoaning their lack of logical planning. Several other authors respond to this idea in separate articles. (Author/BP)

Sex role research shows that (1) some achievement differences are related to students' sex role perceptions and teacher expectations, (2) effects on students of textbook bias against females have not been clearly demonstrated, and (3) instruction designed to reduce sex role stereotyping has had mixed results. (Author/AV)

Explores some of the methodological issues and problems involved in studies of black mother-child interactions, and presents alternatives to previously-used methods of selecting tasks, instructing subjects, and collecting data in the home. (BD)

Indicates that the two-dimensional model of family communication is better suited to evaluation of whites than blacks. (KS)

Discusses how the authors' review of literature on ability grouping prompted them to look closer at the objectivity of research in general. Concludes that predispositions to specific topics of research, prompted by preexisting values and characteristics of the particular reader, affects the objectivity of the reader in interpreting research…

This article highlights three common problems with assessment research, including the following needs: (1) to adopt a hypothesis testing approach; (2) for research to be guided by available formal and informal theory, and (3) for research to be consistent with general school psychological practice. New research methodologies and new research…

Research supports the notion that substitute teachers generally are ineffective. This study examines whether trained substitutes can be as effective as assigned teachers in teaching students with behavior disorders. Findings showed that substitutes with intensive inservice training in behavior management were equally effective for one-day…

Identified are four major fallacies in Douglas Fuchs and Lynn Fuchs' critique of the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM) and the General Education Initiative (GEI): erroneous interpretations of the GEI, segregationism in the Fuchs' point of view, the research base of the ALEM, and readiness for the GEI. (JDD)

This paper refutes the arguments of Margaret Wang and Herbert Walberg in their support of the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM) and the General Education Initiative. It focuses on the small number of ALEM implementations and replications, weaknesses of the research and evaluations supporting ALEM, and other specific criticisms. (JDD)

Identifies common points in recent research reports on undergraduate liberal arts education and relates them to traditions in the history of education. Concludes that the recommendations of these reports contain important and basic contradictions. (FMW)

Points out that infant day care research is still in its infancy, criticizes Jay Belsky's infant day care position conceptually and methodologically, and considers alternative models of influence that may account for the putative association of day care and maladjustment. (SKC)

Presents an annotated bibliography of ERIC materials, covering problems, practices, and priorities in institutional research; the role of the institutional research office; and research guidelines and procedures. (DMM)

The definition of progress as applied to writing research and practice is examined, and three different approaches to understanding the writing of exceptional children are considered: a literal approach, an interpretive approach, and an evaluative approach. The scientific and social implications of each of the approaches are considered.…