Describes the development and field test of a checklist to assess children's drawings in the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST), which investigates students' images of scientists. Includes the checklist (DAST-C) and samples of student drawings. (18 references) (Author/MKR)

Presents a model of expert reasoning practices that focuses on constructive modeling, a tacit dimension of the thinking practices of expert physicists. Draws on historical cases and protocol accounts of expert reasoning in scientific problem solving and argues that having expertise in physics requires facility with the practice of constructive…

Tested Richard Duschl's triadic model of the growth of scientific knowledge against research practices of 10 accomplished life scientists. Reports that the scientists were willing to change their aims, methods, or theories and were both realists and relativists depending on the scientific discourse about the phenomena in question. Discusses…

Discussion of the effect of glasnost on the availability of business information from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe highlights online services.These include general information sources, specialized business services, industry-specific services, new services, and forthcoming developments. Problems in dealing with the increased availability of…

Discusses the loss of female talent in the physical sciences and with it the debate about the desirability of stronger measures to increase the number of women scientists. Provides the results of surveys, interviews, and meetings dealing with the issues of job discrimination, sexual harassment, and general social treatment. (KR)

Traces the occupational and intellectual components of sociology's effort to win recognition as a science. Focuses on the model of science used and its limits. Argues that sociology, as quasi-science and quasi-humanities, should be maintaining the empirical outlook of a science while recognizing the impact of civilization on concepts and theories.…

In addition to encouraging teachers and the schools to recognize and utilize cultural diversity, it will be necessary to persuade minority students to cross-cultural boundaries and make the effort to learn the language and culture of the school so that they can achieve success. (EVL)

This study compared attitudes of scientists associated with (n=79) or not associated with (n=70) a mental retardation research center, concerning preferred measures of research productivity at such centers. Data showed consistency in responses of groups. A ranking of 25 measures was developed, with publication in refereed journals ranked highest.…

Discusses the increasing interest in the unhappiness in academic research and questions management and mentoring problems, especially in laboratory environments. Suggests that the individual level of the problem depends on the environment. Lists tips for a productive team of managers. Differentiates between management and mentor goals and focus…

Explains why teachers addressing the nature of science should know the work of Michael Polanyi. Outlines Polanyi's intellectual career and examines his ideas on the education of scientists, research, and knowledge. Polanyi presaged Kuhn, Feyerabend, and the constructivists, yet insisted that science produces true knowledge about reality. (Contains…

Describes a course that empowers older persons to become active researchers by teaching them to conduct social gerontological research. Discusses an Israeli innovation, research studies, and the graying of social gerontology. Argues that there is a need for developing educational training programs for seniors as gerontological researchers. (RJM)

Examines the multiple uses and definitions of invention in science to develop a theory of invention and inventive acts around themes related to invention as a social act, invention as a recursive and socially linked process, and invention as an embodied agency. Contains 56 references. (DDR)

Presents a new client-centered typology of the information professions with special emphasis given to the empowering professions, including librarianship, which enable clients to use knowledge to take control of their lives. Topics include increasing self-efficacy; reducing self-blame; developing group consciousness; and assuming responsibility…

Draws upon the findings of a qualitative study that examines the valued capital, ways, and practices of a support group for women working in the sciences at an academic research institution. Discusses how women were given little access to powerful networks in science and encountered many obstacles in their attempts to develop networks. (Contains…

Discusses the need for research scientists to come out of their labs and establish links with communities and the need for scientists of color who can better gain access to the communities most often affected by problems such as environmental hazards. Describes ways to encourage this reaching out and breaking of stereotypes about scientists among…