Orientational analysis—a supplement to dimensional analysis—I

A method for extending the methods of dimensional analysis is based upon assigning “orientational” symbols to physical quantities such as area, force and angle which are spatially oriented. These symbols are shown to form a noncyclic group with four members, and they can be used to derive additional information that resolve problems incompletely solved by conventional dimensional analysis.     

A procedure for comparing passive,active, and semi-active approaches to vibration isolation

A procedure is developed which uses bond graph modeling and a digital computer to determine if semi-active control can provide a suitable performance in an application where totally active control is considered. The application areas principally addressed are those in which the disturbance inputs to the system are of zero mean, i.e. shock and vibration control.The procedure is developed through examples and then generalized to systems of high order and large complexity. The procedure consists basically of designing a control strategy suitable for totally active control and then enforcing a passivity constraint on the actuating device. Experience has shown that semi-active control approaches that of totally active control in most vibration isolation applications.     

Advancing Testimonio Traditions in Educational Research: A Synoptic Rendering

Through our understanding of decolonizing Hispanophone curriculum, our synoptic rendering seeks to better situate US-based research on testimonio within Latin American literary traditions. Specifically, we provide a synoptic rendering that outlines the testimonio tradition’s literary criticism and an analysis of key testimonio texts. Of particular emphasis in our analysis, we provide representations from Latin American testimonio traditions’ sociological, journalistic, fictionalized, and poetic dimensions. Our synoptic rendering concludes with implications for the advancement of testimonio traditions in education research with emphasis on testimonio resources for Latin@ graduate students.     

The Saint Louis symptom checklist: Factor structure for an adolescent sample

This study investigated the factor structure and reliability of the Saint Louis Symptom Checklist (SLSCL) with an adolescent sample. An exploratory principal components factor analysis followed by a varimax rotation of 209 male and female adolescents yielded eight conceptually relevant factors. Cronbach's alphas for each of the scales ranged from .45 to .94, with a total scale alpha of .92. Directions for future research are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND AGENDA MELDING: A THEORY OF SOCIAL DISSONANCE

Many studies have established that there is a degree of audiencelearning from the mass media, especially of new issues enteringthe news. But recent studies show an agenda-setting effect atdeeper levels beyond broad news categories. Audiences also absorbthe attributes of news—the frames and slants in the waynews is presented—and this suggests that while the massmedia do not tell us what to think, the mass media do have considerablepower to tell us how to think about topics, with implicationsfor social policy. Beyond these two levels of agenda setting,however, is something more significant—agenda melding.Agenda melding argues that individuals join groups, in a sense,by joining agendas. There is a powerful impulse to affiliatewith others in groups as one leaves the original family setting,and one joins these groups via media of connections, mostlyother people but also other media. This paper suggests a modelof agenda melding that accounts for the role of media (massor interpersonal) in helping individuals move toward or awayfrom groups. This attempts to build toward general social theoryby suggesting the role of media in how individuals functionwith others in a coherent social system.     

Teacher attitudes and personality

The Minnesota Teacher Attitude Inventory (MTAI), the Edwards Personal Preferences Schedule (EPPS), and the Vocational Preferences Inventory (VPI) were administered to 183 undergraduate students enrolled in teacher education courses. The MTAI was compared with each of the two personality instruments by canonical analysis. The MTAI shared 20% of its variance with the EPPS and 17% with the VPI. It was concluded that teachers' attitudes are partially determined by measurable personality variables.     

Effects of reality therapy methods applied in the classroom

Reality therapy methods in the classroom were examined via a four-group experimental design. The groups were as follows: (a) pretested reality therapy, (b) unpretested reality therapy, (c) pretested placebo, and (d) unpretested placebo. Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale scores and observations of on-task behavior constituted the outcome criteria. No significant differences were obtained for self-concept and on-task behavior. The findings were interpreted as not supportive of reality therapy methods as applied in the classroom.