Reflects on gaps between assumptions about vocational education's contribution to students' intellectual, personal, social, and vocational development and evidence about actual vocational education processes and effects. Suggests an expanded inquiry approach that promises greater understanding of the problems and issues implied by these conceptual…

Achievement motivation in women is discussed in the context of recent ideas by Gilligan and by Spence and Helmreich which consider women's development and values without considering only the ways women's behavior differs from male behavior. Implications for practice and research are included. (Author/BL)

Seventy-three preservice elementary teachers and 41 experienced elementary teachers in the same state participated in a study to examine whether prospective teachers measure at the same conative level as practicing teachers. No significant difference was found, and three possible explanations are offered. (MT)

Presents a brief overview of the nine articles which make up this special issue on teacher effectiveness. Asserts that few activities are as crucial in schooling as teaching, and research toward its understanding must continue. (KH)

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has demonstrated effectiveness in some situations, but alternative research directions are needed. Research on the technology, learning in general, and individualized learning for a specific child is needed. The crucial question is how special education teachers can be prepared to use this technology…

A study was conducted to determine if a structured support group with a counseling format could prevent or reduce the burnout of professional nurses in an acute care institution. Results of the study were inconclusive, leading the author to call for more research on the subject of burnout in nurses. (CT)

High-level scientific research in the information sciences is illustrated by sampling of recent discoveries involving adaptive information processing strategies, computer and information systems, centroid scaling, economic growth of computer and communication industries, and information flow in biological systems. Relationship of information…

Reviews the changing characteristics of school effectiveness research from the 1950's to the 1980's, noting conceptual and methodological problems plaguing the research. States that future studies should define school effectiveness more carefully and thoroughly, and adopt more sophisticated research techniques for identifying process variables.…

This discussion of the place of research in the field of library science notes empirical and scientific research; testing, analysis, and research design; theories and methodologies from other disciplines; the dilemma of quantification; library research needs; and the search for an audience. Twenty-six references are cited. (EJS)

Summarizes the literature regarding alcohol and drug abuse among American Indians and Alaska Natives noting four major knowledge gaps in the literature. Discusses abuse prevention efforts among American Indians and notes research questions to be considered regarding primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts. Makes eight recommendations…

Evaluates some conceptual and methodological issues in research on field dependence-independence. Problems of the definition and measurement of "psychological differentiation" and "cognitive restructuring" are examined. Difficulties arising from the profusion of measures, inadequate control of intelligence and insufficient construct validation of…

Comparing human ecological and Marxist approaches discloses numerous parallels and significant differences. Both take a holistic approach and emphasize technology, but ecological theory emphasizes the openness of systems. Gaps in ecological theory are revealed, and some research problems to close the gaps in theory are presented. (Author/IS)

Describes the development and testing of a conceptual framework linking continuing professional education and performance that was used with a nursing education program. Provides evidence regarding the conflicting findings of previous research, suggesting that the question guiding earlier studies had been improperly framed. (JOW)

Views information as residual or catalytic form of energy which regulates other forms of energy in natural and artificial systems. Parallel human information processing (production systems, algorithms, heuristics) and information measurement are discussed. Suggestions for future research in area of parallel information processing include a matrix…