In the course of the transformation of Russian society that started in the early 1990s, when the adoption of market mechanisms of management led to a drastic stratification of the population's income levels, the position of scientists worsened, inasmuch as an ineffective system of providing incentive to work in science was kept in place. In this…

Although science is very successful at its business of explaining phenomena, it is not successful at explaining the nature of its own phenomenon: scientific inquiry. Absent understanding, myths, and misconceptions rush in. The author takes a closer look at the process of scientific inquiry, and presents a review of how scientists describe what…

Understanding the nature of science is even more important than mastering its details, says Alan Leshner, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in an interview with Educational Leadership. In this article, Leshner discusses the controversy about teaching evolution, and he asserts that demands to…

The number of electronic resources has climbed up steadily in recent times. Some of these e-resources are reference sources, mostly in Science, Technology and Medicine (STM), which publishers convert to electronic for obvious reasons. The library budgets for materials usually have two main lines, budget for one time purchase (monographs) and…

There have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of studies involving scientific and technical information communication performed over the last 25 years. This review attempts to provide a window to these studies for persons interested in studying the results published in technical reports and the formal literature. This review primarily deals with…

Fewer U.S. college students are choosing to study math, science, and engineering and half of those who do eventually switch to non-science majors. In this book scholars and policy analysts from a variety of disciplines describe the present demographic situation, analyze the effectiveness of current programs for recruitment and retention, and…

This paper describes a study of Project SPLASH!, a program for minority adolescent girls with high potential in mathematics and science. This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge base on characteristics of program interventions which may increase the representation of women and minorities in the fields of mathematics and science. Findings on…

At the workshop, better management through strategic planning of information and consultancy was discussed as one way in which developing and Eastern European countries could tackle the complex information problems they are facing during the transition to a market economy. The sixteen papers in this volume are grouped into three basic categories:…

To increase women's participation in science and engineering, many barriers must be overcome. This book, an outcome of a conference held by the National Research Council's Committee on Women in Science and Engineering, summarizes presentations of many experts and presents information on specific strategies for increasing the participation of women…

The number of women pursuing the sciences has improved since the 1970's. However, the attrition rate of females from college and graduate study of science still exceeds that of their male peers. This project uses qualitative methodology to explore the supports and coping methods which have enabled a selected group of female biologists to complete…

This book is designed to help library and information specialists and students tackle communication challenges ranging from public speaking to listserv posting. All types of communication are covered--conducting interviews; delivering speeches; leading group discussions, workshops, and conferences; designing newsletters, handouts, and brochures;…

Library literature is replete with articles envisioning libraries in the year 2000 and beyond, yet the librarian is rarely discussed. There is recent evidence that the traditional stereotype image of the librarian is changing. The purpose of this study is to examine the image of librarians in science fiction and fantasy novels and video tapes.…

This handbook is designed for college teachers who want to explore new ways to enhance student learning. The handbook draws on the knowledge of teachers and scientists with extensive experience in the natural sciences and a keen interest in effective science teaching, and is appropriate for anyone teaching undergraduate science. This handbook…

A great deal of received wisdom in the area of the lack of ability of women in science is still based on assumption, belief, or prejudices operating at the level of superstition. The "Snark Syndrome," a term inspired by Lewis Carroll's famous nonsense poem. "The Hunting of the Snark" was coined by Eileen Byrne to describe these…

According to research reports, the negative image that a large number of students have concerning scientists has been remarkably stable over the past 30 years. This document provides an overview of the present and past research conducted to obtain a better view of student's perceptions of scientists, students' attitudes toward science and science…