This second issue of "Investigations in Science Education" (ISE), designed to provide a new perspective for viewing research articles and to aid in the improvement of writing research reports, includes abstracts prepared by science educators, bibliographical data, purpose, rationale, research design and procedure, findings and interpretations as…

The photoelectronic image is in urgent need of comprehensive study as a possible evolutionary phenomenon reflecting and shaping the mental and physical development of people all over the world. Researchers with non-traditional backgrounds may be necessary to achieve this goal. (Author/STS)

Addresses the challenges of communication research and calls for scholars to evaluate their theories in the crucible of applied communication settings by testing and scholarship. (NKA)

Presents two approaches to de-mystify the research process: (1) students assume the persona of a famous author and write letters to each other; and (2) students establish a research and development division for school staff, which allows students to screen proposals, prioritize suggestions, develop research and report strategies, and complete…

Reviews the literature concerning teachers as researchers, noting questions about whether teachers are capable of conducting research in their own classrooms, and demanding a definition of "research." (ARH)

Suggestions are offered for a research task in which secondary gifted students imagine they are future historians researching their present lives. The activity emphasizes the need to research questions rather than topics. (CL)

Aspects of the dissertation requirement that often pose problems include the selection of committee members, topic selection, length of the dissertation, and preparation in research skills. Suggestions from the literature that will aid doctoral candidates in overcoming these obstacles are provided. (RM)

A noted writer of historical biographies for children describes her attempts to get "inside" historical personages by studying the times in which they lived. (RBW)

Asserting that special education teachers need improved competencies in both research processes and application, the authors make right recommendations, including that research competencies be integrated into existing course work and that undergraduate curricula should include basic instruction in using single-subject research methodologies. (CL)

Methods that one junior high teacher uses in his history classes to encourage students to view more critically the history-based commercial films they encounter at the movies and on television away from school are discussed. (SM)

The present findings suggest that experience in situations which a subject believes reflect his own control over events can increase the likelihood of his believing that he has control over reinforcements. (Author)

Suggestions on developing student research skills. (SP)

The often-ignored issue of religious cults is one that teachers ought to address in the classroom, both as a method for teaching research skills and out of a responsibility for their students' welfare. (LH)