Comments on Maier and Seligman's research (EJ 138 911) on learned helplessness, specifically on their analysis of alternatives to the learned helplessness hypothesis. (Author/RK)

This research investigates why it is that the more concrete the subject noun phrase of a sentence, the more likely the predicate is to be recalled when the subject noun phrase is the cue. (Editor/RK)

A hypothesis testing and estimation procedure, Crossing SIBTEST, is presented for detecting crossing differential item functioning (DIF), which exists when the difference in probabilities of a correct answer for two examinee groups changes signs as ability level is varied. The procedure estimates the matching subtest score at which crossing…

Analysis of 19 studies using omnibus analysis of variance (ANOVA) F-tests resulted in reasons for replacing ANOVA with focused hypothesis testing, which is easy to compile and understand; is flexible; enables trend analysis, determination of confidence intervals, adjustments for violated assumptions, and control of Type 1 errors; makes effect size…

Describes a study that computed low performance standards for the group of queries in 13 information retrieval (IR) test collections. Derived from the random graph hypothesis, these standards represent the highest levels of retrieval effectiveness that can be obtained from meaningless clustering structures. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study that tracked doctoral students during the coursework phase in a Web-based learning environment. Explains the use of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory to test the hypothesis that learning style would predict completion of the required courses and suggests implications for future research. (Author/LRW)

Based on five years observations, three items were more likely to appear in drawings of patients who relapsed within three months: (1) presence of psychoactive substances or drug paraphernalia; (2) lack of a figure representing the self or any detailed figure; (3) notable use of abstract or geometric drawing style. (LSR)

Tested the fundamental difference hypothesis, which states that while children are known to learn a language almost completely through domain-specific mechanisms, adults have largely lost the ability to learn a language without reflecting on its structure and have to use alternative mechanisms, drawing especially on their problem-solving…

The concepts of metaphor, model, and theory are defined and used to show how social science research in general, and education research in particular, has differed from Popper's description of natural science research. (IAH)

Responds to critique by Dometrius and Sigelman of Becker and Williams' model of ideal or random flow of people from preselection pool of applicants to postselection work force. Shows that critics' two claims are wrong, because they did not use relative measures of female representation in work force, and they base their modification of his model…

Presents situations in which researchers can use the general linear model to uncover reasons for discrepant effect-size results of meta-analysis of similar studies. Situations include similarly labeled treatments or participants differing in important ways, treatment effectiveness varying by subject aptitude or situational variables, research…

Over the 17 years since a previous review by 2 of the present authors, the field of clinical neuropsychology has made advances in techniques, theoretical constructs, and statistical models. With careful attention to methodological issues and underlying concepts and hypotheses, the field will continue to thrive. (SLD)

Presents brief accounts of the user-based performance measure of relevance and the information system-based performance measure of competence. Results of an experiment are reported that used a geographic information system to illustrate how collecting and analyzing data from both a system and a user view of performance can be beneficial. (73…

Considers counterintuitive propositions about using point elasticities to estimate quantity changes in response to price changes. Suggests that elasticity increases with price along a linear demand curve, but falling quantity demand offsets it. Argues that point elasticity with finite percentage change in price only approximates percentage change…

Piaget's last writings in the 1980s and early 1990s contained both a coherent constructivist account of explanation in science and specific suggestions for revising the logic of operations as a logic of meanings. Demonstrates the interdependence of these two aspects of his work by examining the merits of Piaget's revised logical competence model…