A full understanding of how a training program works requires field observations that examine the deep structure as well as the surface behavior of those in the program. Such comprehensive understanding is not available from questionnaires and interviews. (Author/IRT)

Reviews observational research on infant wariness of strangers. (CM)

Examines the two issues of system dimensionality and situational discrimination in a research program which entailed the training of observers on two classroom observation systems, followed by their involvement in a classroom observation experiment. (RC)

Evidence is gathered on the generalizability of measures of teacher behavior to help resolve the issue of whether the absence of clear, replicable relationships between teacher behavior and student outcomes was due to measurement problems or problems in conceptualization. Generalizability theory seemed particularly well suited but problems in…

A stable ordered dominance hierarchy was found via observational and sociometric methods for a group of 13-year-old boys during a 5-week camp. (SB)

Compared direction and purpose of touch, type, body area touched, and responses to touch for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers observed in early childhood classrooms. Found that infants received more touch than older children. Touch involving "vulnerable body parts" and negative responses occurred more often among toddlers than…

Describes a method whereby data are first analyzed episode-by-episode in comparison to each other. Conjectures thus generated are then meta-analyzed to create chronologies structured by general assertions grounded in students' mathematical activity. Clarifies the relation between psychological and social processes. (TO)

Four observations of 16 agricultural science faculty at work showed that classroom discourse was predominantly at lower cognitive levels. Classes of 51 or more had the fewest higher-level thinking opportunities and 400-level courses had the greatest. The factor having the greatest effect on thinking opportunities was the instructor. (SK)

Responses from 172 of 244 Iowa secondary agriculture teachers indicated that one-fifth were not observed by supervisors during an academic year; more than half had no preobservation conference and one-third no postobservation conference. Supervision variables did not predict job satisfaction or persistence. Collaborative supervision contributed to…

Advocates use of the nature journal as a flexible, hands-on teaching tool. Suggests exercises for developing observation and drawing skills and describes the basic equipment and field guides. Discusses various kinds of nature journals and ideas for using them in the classroom. Includes examples of student drawings. (DLH)

A new method is presented for determining the minimum number of observations per subject needed to achieve a specific generalizability coefficient. The method, consisting of a branch-and-bound algorithm, enables an investigator to specify an acceptable threshold for generalizability coefficients. (SLD)

Used naturalistic observation method to study interaction of children and their male and female adult caretakers in public places in San Diego, California (N=2,050), and Lincoln, Nebraska (N=450). Found male involvement rate higher for boys, older children, recreational settings, mixed-sex dyads, and Caucasion caretakers as compared to Asian…

Opportunity to respond is a valuable tool in any classroom. By observing a target student in the gym, the administrator can develop a picture of the class's response patterns and evaluate the activity's educational value. The gymnasium is a classroom where all students should be learning. Includes two references. (MLH)

Investigates gender differences in smoking behavior by observing 292 men and 648 women smoking in a university workplace. Finds that men take longer breaks, smoke more cigarettes, and inhale more often than women. (MW)