Kathleen Metz has suggested that application of theories of developmental psychology to children's science instruction has led to underestimation of children's competence and potential. This review proposes use of developmental psychology as a guidepost rather than a constraint in developing science curricula. (SLD)

Child protection professionals (N=242) were surveyed regarding their picks for the best papers or book chapters in the field. A citation search was also conducted. Eight papers appeared in the top 15 of both the professional survey and the citation search, with "The Battered Child Syndrome" (Kempe, et al., 1962) appearing at the top of both lists.…

Vacc, Loesch, and Gilbert (1997) argued that mental-health counselors do not require training in the treatment of mentally disordered clients for the majority of their work. This article argues that the authors' conclusion is not supported by the research evidence. Discusses reasons why mental-health counselors should receive training. (Author/MKA)

The integrity of vocational psychology is threatened by poorly trained professionals and delivery of career assistance on the Internet without scientific foundation. The profession should renew linkages with related fields, restore training in psychological measurement, and prepare students in scientific methodology. (Contains 49 references.) (SK)

Methodological deficiencies inherent in expert-novice reading research make it impossible to draw inferences about curriculum change. First, comparisons of intact groups are often used as a basis for making causal inferences about how observed characteristics affect behaviors. While comparing different groups is not by itself a useless activity,…

This paper highlights three sources that may have important implications for the future of social influence research in counseling. The first source presented is a major new literature review by P. Paul Heppner et al. that reviews the literature on social influence on counseling and updates earlier reviews. The discussion focuses on three main…

A report is given of a major study on effective staff development and its role in school improvement efforts. A review of research literature identified key process variables that foster effective staff development activities within successful school or district change efforts. Questions guiding the review of research included: (1) What processes…

This report offers guidelines for appropriately interpreting and using "teacher effects" research (research linking teacher behavior to student outcomes). Attention is given to the potential uses and abuses of such research, and limitations of the nature and use of scientific data on teacher effects are discussed. Ways that instructional…

This paper proposes that the study of schooling would benefit from more research that is social in nature. The characteristics of social research are described in terms of three dimensions--the extent to which "context" and "interaction" of phenomena are considered and the degree to which "participant conceptions" are incorporated in description…

The objectives of the Pennsylvania School Improvement Program (PSIP), funded by the National Institute of Education from 1976 to 1980, were to help schools analyze basic skills needs and improve student performance through the use of research-based programs and techniques. The data uncovered the need to improve instructional management, improve…

Twenty-six American Newspaper Publishers Association research reports published since 1978 are reviewed in this paper. The paper analyzes each of the reports in order to provide an overview of what their findings really say and what newspapers can do in their own market areas to use the findings to improve their product. Among the topics covered…

The role of professional associations in providing linkage between educational researchers and educational practicioners is discussed. The difficulties involved in coordinating two essentially discrete and insular educational communities--the research community and the practicing educational community--are described, and an overview of the…

Presents an overview of research on the teaching of spelling. Emphasizes that spelling is a subject that can be taught, and instruction has two major objectives: the automatic spelling of a security list and the ability to apply correct spelling in written communication. Focuses on study methods, testing, recording progress, dictionary use, and…

The translation of research into practice in school psychology is seen as having three related but distinct components: (1) the application of research findings to practice; (2) practice as a form of research; and (3) practice informing research. It is concluded that research and practice are compatible, but that stereotypic thinking about…

A review of recent literature on both theoretical and research findings on the application of research to improve classroom instruction is offered. (DF)