Reviews E. Noelle-Neumann's "spiral of silence" theory, which holds that, when a person learns through the mass media that public opinion has shifted away from the person's views, that person withdraws from expressing those views. Points to conflicting empirical evidence on Neumann's theory. Summarizes criticisms advanced against the…

Considers stress management and coping studies in health care insufficiently grounded in theory; researchers have not adequately considered demands presented by stressor under study. Explores this theme in five areas: (1) effectiveness of problem- versus emotion-focused coping strategies; (2) effectiveness of interventions; (3) role of individual…

Focuses specifically on Jean Piaget's theory of development. Examines Piaget's ideas about constructivism and explores the application of this theoretical perspective to the conceptualization of curriculum development. (MG)

Describes how to teach interviewing to journalism students. Advocates a course informed by attribution theory, based on a creative, dialogical definition of the interview. Suggests using tape recorders or videotapes to help students objectively evaluate their own and others' performances. (SR)

A procedure--"theophrastisation"--is described to present empirical results of an investigation clearly so that teachers can apply them. Other normative implications of empirical research are discussed with reference to a previous study of adult computer novices. Perspectives on adult education in general are discussed. (SLD)

Two continuing medical education (CME) projects illustrate how theory may be used in practice. In a change project, a theory was generated to explain the role of CME in change and learning. A program on early detection of cancer tested social and behavioral theory in solving a health care problem. (SK)

Curriculum theorists must raise their own institutions' level of consciousness about fundamental principles in the curriculum development process. Curriculum researchers must align themselves with curriculum decision makers in other institutions and curriculum inquiries must study actors, actions, and the consequences of actions in natural…

Careful work in comparing, analyzing, and critiquing the positions and communications put forth by various professional curriculum organizations would be valuable to the curriculum research community. Provides an example: "Principles for Australian Curriculum Reform," prepared by the Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA). (MLF)

Replies to Burbules's criticism of Maddock's 1990 article, "The Relevance of Philosophy to Educational Administration," which critiques Burbules's 1989 essay on the same topic. Burbules confuses matters of relevance with the communication of relevance and fails to distinguish between authoritative and authoritarian positions. Includes 32…

Like Gresham's bimetallic currency system, the field-based and the conventional Ed.D. represent two types of programs operating within the same marketplace. Because the field-based program is likely to displace resident graduate study, the education profession should seriously inquire into the nature and purpose of its highest degree. (MLH)

Includes statements and discussion by six college educators about the new rhetorics. Underscores the need for both new approaches to rhetoric and understanding of its history. Suggests that the term "rhetoric" may have become a grab bag of assorted concepts. Argues that disagreement over rhetoric is preferable to general acceptance of a single…

Describes four writing assignments designed to transform the reading and study of literature by challenging students to become vital agents in the construction of textual meaning. Discusses the theory behind the assignments which states that reading is a dynamic process of making connections. (RS)

Teaching is a trade that hasn't yet discovered the power of self-transformation and self-rejuvenation. To become empowered, teachers must stop seeing themselves as victims of bureaucrats, citizens, and recalcitrant children. Only by restructuring their jobs from the ground up (by determining to serve children better) can teachers emerge as…

A method of estimating conditional standard error of measurement at specific score/ability levels is described that avoids theoretical problems identified for previous methods. The method focuses on variance of observed scores conditional on a fixed value of an observed parallel measurement, decomposing these variances into true and error parts.…

Recounts an earlier case analysis describing ethical differences in collectivist and individualistic rhetorics experienced by a writer in a literature seminar and a public relations office. Examines how this analysis is problemmatized by alternative interpretations demonstrating how collectivist rhetoric practiced by researchers involves the…