Philosophical tendencies in Kohlberg's cognitive-developmental theory of moral development such as apriorism, absolutism and formalism are unfavorably contrasted with the dialectical categories of historicism, double interactionism and reflection. In logic and epistemology the cognitive-developmental theory is shown to be based on a subjective…

Some contemporary trends in social and clinical psychology suggest that individual differences in imaging abilities may become increasingly important. Outlines some of the conceptual and methodological problems that must be clarified if productive research is to be undertaken and reports results of three studies designed to isolate tests which…

Describes a study that suggests the perception of words while skimming a newspaper headline on a computer screen is affected by typeface, point size, screen resolution, and monitor size. Limitations of the study are discussed and further research is suggested. (LRW)

Examines nine studies claiming to have demonstrated facial imitation in the neonatal period. Finds that the claims of early imitative abilities are not well founded: because the matching behavior found is restricted to a single gesture--tongue protrusion--it is best explained as a specific, directly elicited response, rather than imitation. (HTH)

Examines the influence of a research incentive ($100) and requirement (videotaping) on decisions to participate in prevention research. Individuals were significantly attracted by the incentive, and marginally deterred by the requirement. Findings indicate that monetary incentives may help reduce sampling bias by increasing rates most strongly…

Researchers recruiting samples of children through schools typically face considerable challenges in obtaining completed consent forms from parents. Describes a set of procedures used to obtain active parental consent for child participation that resulted in a 95% return rate of consent forms. Rates of return were similar across schools that…

Using models subjected to extensive specification tests, analysis of data from the National Child Care Staffing Study found that group size, child-staff ratio, and staff education and training have only small impacts on the quality of care provided. (SK)

States that hemispheric preference literature reveals mostly marginally significant data--different ways of probing human thought processing exist and various mistakes can sometimes account for borderline data. Elaborates the Sonnier Model of Hemispheric Preferences (SMHP) which may provide clarification and more fruitful research questions and…

Examines the effectiveness of the use of monetary incentives in mail survey data collection. Monetary incentives produces higher rates of return compared to mailings in which nonmonetary or no incentives are provided. The use of monetary incentives is more cost effective than other types of incentives and may be particularly valuable when…

Tests consistency of self-reports of alcohol and drug use by comparing responses incarcerated youth give to corrections staff and to university research interviewers only weeks apart. Significantly more incarcerated adolescents (n = 894) report lifetime drug and alcohol use to researchers than to correctional staff. Sex and ethnic differences were…

Presents a summary of an earlier monograph on the recruitment and retention of older ethnic minority individuals. Findings suggest that recruitment and retention success occurs when there is a match between the goals of the ethnic minority communities and the research community. (Contains 10 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)

Suggests that different levels of analysis and theoretical approaches are less problematic when considered in terms of different degrees of abstraction to the extent that concepts utilized are time and space free. Illustrates the need for multiple levels of analysis and abstraction with two examples: contemporary sexual behavior and explanations…

The use of proportions to transform raw scores into standardized, dimensionless units creates measurement problems. The use of fractional (percentage) uncertainties for physical or any other measurements results in other problems. Means of dealing with associated problems of standardization are discussed. (TJH)

A restudy of nonrespondents to a contingent valuation method survey increased the response rate from 59 to 87 percent. The likelihood ratio test was used to determine respondent/nonrespondent differences more precisely. Results indicate that nonresponse bias can be quantified and that personal contacts with nonrespondents can generate crucial…

Reviewed 283 data-based articles containing material about Black Americans in the "Journal of Marriage and Family" from 1939-87 using a sociohistorical framework of analysis. Results indicated that focus on the culture-of-poverty thesis has been a prominent and obvious source of distortion in substantive research on Black families in America.…