The increasing occupation of journals with the subject of political persuasion is briefly surveyed. A set of principles which might be utilized to reconceive an inventional theory are proposed, and means through which these principles may be applied in studies of political persuasion are suggested. The decision to shift from a speaker/message…

A potential solution to a part of the philosophical and methodological problems of defining nonbureaucratic and alternative organization models is the suggestion that a clear, definitional distinction be made between nonbureaucratic models (which are developed using bureaucratic-related variables) and alternative models (which are developed using…

This document presents a method, developed by the Institute for Child Advocacy [ICA], (a community based project which seeks to upgrade the quality of children's services in South Central Los Angeles) of using problem solving with community residents and agencies. This method of problem solving, previously used in a study of children being…

No general comprehensive theory of underachievment exists despite much research having been performed and hundreds of articles having been published. Further, underachievement as a concept often seems to be divorced from the individual pupil's or student's unique problem(s) as an underachiever. Indeed, even the designation "underachiever" differs…

Explores why educational research results have been disappointing arguing that if further progress is to be made toward conducting it in a scientific way, more careful attention must be paid to basic assumptions, especially about the nature of education, about human nature itself, and about what is to count as scientific. (JT)

Focuses on the nature and extent of censorship of social studies materials in the United States. Specific topics addressed are persons and organizations censoring, status of the rights of teachers, and what educators, schools, and professional organizations such as the National Council for the Social Studies can do to help teachers deal with…

Identifies and discusses current literature dealing with alternative teaching techniques in political science. Main areas of concern are methodology, theory, and values. (DB)

Contends that pretentious methodology, apologetics for those in power, and ornate abstractions of language are the result of self-interest and financial exploitation in the social sciences at the university level. Innovation and creativity are thus stifled among the untenured. Journal available from 7 Harwood Drive, Amherst, New York 14226. (KC)

This paper addresses the particular area of inequality and segregation in public education, and some of the emerging research issues. (Author)

Scientific rigor, including research design and data analysis, has been established and can now be applied to careful investigations outside the laboratory. This rigor can assist in studying the areas of human development and behavior. Without it, research in natural environments will continue to be inadequate and inaccurate sources of knowledge.…

Critical features of sound observational studies fall under three categories: the sampling framework; the theoretical model; and the statistical procedure. If the methodology for explanatory, rather than descriptive, observational studies can be applied within these categories, more consistent, convincing, useful explanations of educational…

Recent studies are examined for methodological adequacy in establishing dimensions of individual differences in information-processing abilities, and the theoretical problems involved in inferring psychological processes from individual difference dimensions. Methodological inadequacies include use of small samples, questionable procedures in…

Examines reasons why educational research has failed to solve educational dilemmas. Explanations include that research cannot solve problems which are political and that research should not be undertaken as a propaganda activity by educational policymakers. (Author/DB)

Methods used in validating construct interpretations of self-concept measurements are briefly reviewed, and relevant papers presented in this special issue are discussed. The strengths and limitations of each paper are outlined. Thirty bibliographical references are included. (Author/MV)