Presented are data that support the suggestion that sixth-grade students can formulate empirically-based statements that are adequate, precise and can be tested. Scores from the Hypothesis Quality Scale (developed by investigator) constituted the criterion variable. Treatment for the experimental group consisted of practice in hypothesis formation…

The objective of this study was to adapt the ideas of "strong inference" in developing a design procedure which can be used in the evaluation of an instructional system in such a way as to identify and correct specific weaknesses within a system. This method allows the evaluator to consider many hypotheses as possible causes of system…

This monograph provides a revised list of research hypotheses and questions, a detailed review of psychological and operational definitions of over fifteen vocational contructs (including such ambiguous concepts as vocational stability and vocational satisfaction), and an overview of projected research procedures. In addition, a comprehensive set…

This study compared two different laboratory programs in a physical science course for nonscience majors. One program, Program X, centered around a continuing experiment where the students themselves attempted to function as a team of scientists. Program Y was a direct examination of scientists and their work by having the students study reports…

The Career Construct (CC) is a free-response instrument patterened after Kuhn's TST. It is introduced as a tool appropriate to the investigation of some symbolic interactionist questions focusing on the temproal and processual features of actor's courses of action. The main features of the CC are: (1) a free-response listing of 10 anticipated…

Research was conducted to investigate the phenomena associated with an individual's having perceived control or actual control over aversive stimuli. In all, 10 studies were conducted, 7 of which were directly relevant to investigating variables affecting perceived or actual control, and 3 being "spin-off" experiments. The seven studies…

This study arose out of a concern for the type of college science courses being offered to non-science majors. Of particular concern is the traditional method of laboratory instruction, with its emphasis on specific techniques and instrument manipulations rather than promoting an understanding of the processes, concepts, and methods of…

This study was designed to learn more about relationships between sex and the expressive and comprehensive language development of the kindergarten child. Thirty-four kindergarten children (17 males and 17 females) were given the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the Vocabulary Subtest of the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children…

The author reports a recent study on humorous and non-humorous speeches on two topics: the meaning of totalitarianism and an explanation of the Whorf hypothesis. Student subjects listened to two recorded speeches--the humorous version of one speech and the non-humorous version of the other speech--and later responded to a multiple-choice test of…

This study attempts to investigate the nature of speech types and to arrive at hypotheses for a theory of rhetorical genres. The investigation tries inductively to answer the question: To what extent do recurrent rhetorical patterns suggest groupings of speeches on the basis of presuppositions philosophically shared between speakers and listeners?…

Since the medical interview is usually considered to be the basis of all diagnosis and treatment in medicine, this study investigated alternative ways of improving medical interview techniques. To test the hypothesis that the visual (videotape) technique would be more effective than the lecturing or audiotape technique, 12 videotaped interviews…

Six studies are summarized in which repeatable methods were tested in quasi-experimental settings to test hypotheses relating to a cognitive approach to counseling. In each study, a repeatable mode of counseling was developed, research counselors were trained to a high level of competence, their performance was validated by tape recordings,…

This study explores how an individual's cognitive style influences the development of a strategy in a concept identification task and how an individual tests his hypotheses in a concept learning set task. Subjects for the research were given the Hidden Figures Test as a means of identifying their cognitive styles. Half of the subjects were…

The authors examine published research in speech communication and evaluate its potential for theory development. Two major suggestions are advanced that will facilitate the quest for viable theory of speech communication. First, research should begin to focus on relevant communication behaviors rather than merely using them as convenient contexts…

An experimental study of the efficiency of human information processing is based on the Bayesian model for simple hypothesis testing with fixed binomial sampling. Each of 60 subjects is analyzed with separate ANOVAs focusing on two efficiency variables. Sample size and critical value are also analyzed. Subjects show very different utilization of…