Identifies scholars and practitioners who are key contributors to the field of performance improvement and are members of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). Describes the concept of human performance technology, and discusses the late Dr. Thomas F. Gilbert's concept of performance and his help with founding ISPI and…

This bulletin is the second of a cooperative series sponsored by the National Committee on Research in Secondary Education. With the profession of education demanding research as a basis for adaptation of school procedures, research is being undertaken by an increasing number of agencies and is rapidly involving school principals and classroom…

Reviews historical events leading up to creation of the journal and observations of course journal has followed since that time. Steady growth in proportion of empirical articles and dramatic rise in proportion of process-outcome studies symbolize division's continuing need for unity of thought. (Author/BEF)

Reviews the early career of Margaret Mead (1928-1942) and study methods she used in Samoa, New Guinea, and Bali. Particular attention is paid to her examinations of sex roles and her own experiences as a female scientist. (Part of a theme issue on anthropological methods in educational research.) (SJL)

The lineage of developmental psychology has involved three waves of research in the 1890s (Hall), 1930s, and 1960s (Piaget). Over these years, a cooperative knowledge-building process arose, fostered by new journals in the 1930s, in which articles built upon one another and sustained or redirected trains of thought among a community of…

This paper represents a tribute to the career of Ralph Winfred Tyler, whose publication "Constructing Achievement Tests" served as the basis for most of the major efforts in evaluation since 1934. Tyler's career is traced from his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago to his guidelines for national assessment. (LMO)

Four trends important to educational research and development are traced, and serve as background for describing the evolving status of educational evaluation. The long-range future for educational evaluation is assessed. (MH)

Thorndike is remembered by a former research assistant who began working with him in 1938 at the Institute of Educational Research, Teachers College Columbia University. Impressions of Thorndike the teacher, behavioral scientist, educational inventor and guiding force of the Institute are shared. (IAH)

Traces the history of the Mid-Western Educational Research Association (MWERA) from preformative events in 1970 through 1994, focusing on its mission and goals and their fulfillment. Profiles MWERA today, including governance, structure, operations, membership, constitutional amendments, and publications. Includes recollections of a past…

Examines the history of research on the teaching and learning of English as reflected in the 20-year history of the Promising Researcher Award. Focuses upon changes over time in the kinds of questions asked, topics addressed, conceptual frameworks employed, and methodologies used in the studies. Reveals a strong but shifting influence of…

This paper contains informal remarks on action research in social psychology from its post World War II origins to its current status. Kurt Lewin first described action research in the 1946 article, "Action Research and Minority Problems," as a three-step process of program planning, program execution, and follow-up evaluation. Ronald Lippitt and…

The development and operations of the North Carolina Association for Institutional Research (NCAIR) are traced, with attention to specific meetings and activities. Events that led to the establishment of NCAIR are noted, including the work of the 1972-1973 planning committee. The association's mission is identified as: promoting professional…

The author traces his career from his days as an anthropology student through his work on a wide variety of government and institutional social science research projects. He comments on the politics involved in such research. (SJL)

Dale's impact on the author's personal and professional development during their 40-year association is described. His teaching style, approach to scholarship, and emphasis on writing are discussed; as well as his contributions to educational research, which include the Dale-Chall Readability Formula. (IAH)

Helen M. Walker contributed to the field of educational research and statistics during a 55-year career. Born in Iowa in 1891, Walker earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa Wesleyan College and taught high school mathematics for nine years. She then taught at the University of Kansas while doing graduate work. One source noted that she was the first…