In this chapter, the authors outline an approach to assessing complex constructs supported by psychological science and research. This approach is informed by their background as psychologists but is general enough to incorporate other disciplinary approaches as well. They identify this approach as TAIM (Theory, Activities, Indicators, Multiple…

The experiment in physics has often been pictured as an ideal for the less mature social sciences, especially by positivist philosophy of science. The thesis to be presented here is that the physical experiment as a paradigm for psychology is merely a pretext, a smoke-screen for a more fundamental and concealed technological paradigm for the study…

Research should be supplemented with measures that do not require respondent cooperation. Unobtrusive'' measures were developed in this study to describe each ward in a state hospital, including such items as use of window curtains and style of staff dress. This ward profile'' correlated with such criteria as readmission rate, length of stay,…

Discusses problems of using observation techniques in hope of instigating a more general re-examination of the potentialities of observation as an instrument of educational research. (Author)

Reports the University of New York at Albany has been charged with violations of federal and state regulations for not obtaining approval of an ethics committee to conduct research on human subjects. (SL)

Discusses differences in results of factor analyses of ten diverse samples which have been studied using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Concludes that a single common factor structure accounts for the intercorrelations among NBAS items. (Author/BH)

This document discusses and critically reviews problems existing with utilizing traditional experimental methods in psychology and the behavioral sciences. Experimental and correlational data collection methods are reviewed and a new data collection method merging the more productive features of each is proposed. The philosophy, strategy, and…

The report consists of 3 parts: (1) a quantitative analysis of the history of psychological gerontology based upon the reconstructed flow of written information in reference networks; (2) a supplement to this analysis which focuses especially on "underdeveloped" areas not represented in the networks; and (3) a wide-ranging inquiry into…

This study assessed whether slides of lighting arrangements could adequately simulate results from real space. Data indicated that in many important respects the results for the slides matched those for the real space for ratings on semantic differential scales, but that less consistent results were obtained for multidimensional scaling.…

Critiques an article that compared genuine suicide notes with simulated notes. Elaborates on theoretical and methodological difficulties, noting a lack of hypotheses, operationalized constructs, and prediction testing. Examines the operational design used in the article and suggests that the study of suicide notes in such a fashion should cease.…

Cultural and political biases in social science research contribute to bias in study methodology, as well as interpretations and conclusions. The work of Herman Witkin and Solomon Asch are discussed and used to demonstrate the effects and limitations of the environment versus ego on male and female perceptions. (AO)

This article reviews literature on peer acceptance of children and briefly discusses a study of the social skill correlates of peer acceptance. The importance of being able to form friendships for the child's later development and the importance of programs which maximize this ability are noted. There is a review of literature on programs which…

The papers in this book describe significant population research done by psychologists from 1972 to 1975. It is hoped that the papers will stimulate more psychologists to become involved in population research and inspire those now in the field. The book begins with an overview of the development of population psychology. The remainder of the book…

Responds to criticism of a method for analyzing genuine and simulated suicide notes. Claims that the critique is based on an inflexible and unnecessarily limited model of scientific psychology as a purely theory-driven enterprise. Discusses problems associated with such a limited view and addresses methodological and logical criticisms. (RJM)

IN THIS COLLECTION OF ERGONOMICS ABSTRACTS AND ANNOTATIONS THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF CONCERN ARE REPRESENTED--GENERAL REFERENCES, METHODS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT RELATING TO ERGONOMICS, SYSTEMS OF MAN AND MACHINES, VISUAL, AUDITORY, AND OTHER SENSORY INPUTS AND PROCESSES (INCLUDING SPEECH AND INTELLIGIBILITY), INPUT CHANNELS, BODY MEASUREMENTS,…