An attempt was made to determine whether the traits known as cognitive styles should be recognized as intellectual abilities or intellectual controls, or both. It was suggested that the structure of intellect model could serve as a frame of reference for future research in this area. (Author/RL)

Evaluation research should be viewed as the source of knowledge on two levels: (1) how evaluation studies utilize results, and (2) how the knowledge that was evaluated is utilized. The purpose of this document is to systematically examine the literature pertinent to the utilization of evaluation results. The impetus for legitimization of…

Empirical literature on the match between teacher-based assessments of student achievement levels and objective levels of student learning is examined. Data on the relationship between the teacher's a priori judgment and student's actual achievement reflect the validity or accuracy of teacher-judgment measures. (SLD)

Theories or explanations of educational evaluation are discussed and categorized under two broad methodological headings, the objectivist and subjectivist epistemological orientations. They can be seen as potentially complementary empirical approaches that offer evaluators two methodological orientations to assess educational-reform outcomes.…

The following categories of research on choice behavior of individuals with severe developmental disabilities are reviewed: assessing their choice making, building choice opportunities in daily contexts, and evaluating the effects of choice making. Research suggests that most people with severe developmental disabilities are capable of making…

Distinguishes radical skepticism from everyday skepticism and positional pedagogical skepticism. Theorizes on the systematic importance of radical skepticism as a philosophical orientation in education. Reviews the infrequent appearance of skepticism as a concept in the history of educational theory. (CH)

The organization of behavioral episodes can be described at two levels: the physical level of movement and sound and the phenomenal level of action. Social perception theory and research generally operates at a phenomenal level of behavioral description. Movement and sound traditionally have been considered inadequately structured to provide much…

The concept of attention in sport is important because the inability to process the right kind and amount of information may lead to a mismatch in perception and consequent motor output. Research has shown that the ability to choose between relevant and irrelevant information increases dramatically at about 12 years of age. By giving up the…

The role of decision making, and its import for generating social change are examined. Decision making is considered from psychological, semantic, and scientific viewpoints, and suggestions for constructive change in social studies curricula are offered. (RJG)

Describes the problem-solving approach implemented in the University of Manitoba's first-year technical communication course. Considers technical writing as a process which can be broken down into steps: classify, analyze, test, and solve. Explains that this process offers students the methodology and flexibility they need to solve either…

Reviews research focusing on problem-solving deficits and their relationship to suicidal behavior and considers some of the methodological problems that arise. Discusses findings in terms of active versus passive problem solving, state or trait factors, and the psychological processes underlying problem solving. (Author/JDM)

Designed for community college social science instructors, this compilation of materials provides an overview of the literature on critical thinking. Following introductory comments, ideas are presented concerning the importance of teaching critical thinking, the conflicting opinions about the essence of critical thinking, the pros and cons of…

This second edition of "Beyond the Wasteland" provides an updated review of broadcast criticism. It offers teachers information to sharpen their own critical capacities and help for exploring media criticism with their students. It also provides suggestions and contextual insights for the mass media researcher. The book is divided into…

The relationship between argumentation and informal reasoning is discussed, followed by a consideration of instructional factors that influence argumentation performance. An account of one expert student reasoner is provided. Instruction in argumentation is reviewed, and suggestions are made for argumentation based on classroom experience. (SLD)

This paper presents an overview of research in the field of decision theory, with a focus on problem and identification. The goal is to make the decision-making process as rational as possible in order to maximize the rational administration of the organization. The decisions associated with educational administration can be categorized as…