This research attempted to develop a job skills training package suited to the needs of offenders and to document its utility by using a research design that remedies some of the inadequacies often found in skill training research. (Author/RK)

The rationale for a constructivist approach to behavioral and social science research, and studies which have applied this methodology, are reviewed. The author suggests that ethnographic techniques of explaining behavior patterns may be as valuable as or more appropriate than traditional behavioral science methods. (GDC)

Examines the hypothesis that attractive individuals should be more successful with opposite-sex peers but less successful with same-sex peers than unattractive individuals. Also investigates the influence strategies employed by persons differing in attractiveness since nothing is currently known about the actual behavior exhibited by attractive…

The Denial and the Depression scales of the MMPI and Rotter's Locus of Control scale were administered to 26 men with locomotor disabilities and to 44 nondisabled men. All disabled groups scored significantly higher on the Depression scale than the nondisabled group. This finding is discussed in terms of two behavioral formulations of depression.…

This research assessed the reliability and validity of the Purpose in Life test in an inmate population, investigated the relationship between the PIL test and attitudes, locus of control, personality factors, and several demographic variables, and compared the PIL scores of inmates with scores of normal samples. (Author/RK)

Traits attributed to deaf people may not reflect their true characteristics, but the paternalistic posture of hearing experts. The attributions reveal paternalistic universals, paternalistic parallax, paternalistic ethnocentrism, and economic self-interest. Research flaws in test administration, test language, and test scoring are identified.…

A study was conducted to establish an equation for predicting group embedded figures test (GEFT) scores using Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) scores for reading and social studies, grade point averages, socioeconomic status, and student attitudes as predictor variables, and to determine correlation between these variables and the GEFT.…

Describes a study of the impact of different feedback types on secondary school students in which treatment groups received either corrective or noncorrective feedback. Results indicate no significant difference between the groups' posttest scores, but when groups were redefined by gender, girls receiving noncorrective feedback scored lower than…

To estimate the relative effects of three types and three combinations of feedback on children's discrimination learning, a meta-analysis was performed on the findings of 89 studies. In general, reward compared to punishment or to reward plus punishment is the least efficient method of feedback for teaching children discrimination materials.…

A review of the literature before 1966 on racial preference among black children showed that black children, in a variety of geographical, social and methodological settings, prefer to play with white dolls and white playmates. However, since 1966, black children have indicated a preference for black dolls and black models, across geographical,…

Presents an introduction to current equivalence methodology, a preferred alternative to usual power analyses when one wishes to determine if performances on given outcome measures for different samples are equivalent (could have come from the same population). Examples of the approach are presented. (SLD)

Discussion of research problems in instructional technology emphasizes two main needs: (1) development of a prescriptive research methodology; and (2) more front end analysis that produces a distinction between instructional design research and instructional development research. Two examples of research using the prescriptive technology approach…

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.…

Because of criticisms leveled at statistical hypothesis testing, some researchers have argued that measures of effect size should replace the significance-testing practice. We contend that although effect-size measures have logical appeal, they are also associated with a number of limitations that may result in problematic interpretations of them…

Searching for an adequate method to investigate human development (especially the development of theoretical thinking) Vygotsky and his collaborators developed the causal genetic method. The basic idea of this method consists in the investigation of psychic functions and structures by their formation under controlled conditions (for instance via a…