A Study of Reported Tension in Interparental Relationships as Co-Existent with Behavior Adjustment in Young Children

The importance of replication is widely recognized in several research traditions. Empirical synthesis of seemingly diverse results may be particularly important when factor structure similarities are being evaluated because apparent differences in findings may be an artifact of different locations of factor axes, even though variable positions in factor space may be virtually identical. The present study empirically evaluated the comparability of seven sets of factor structures reported in previous research with the Bem Sex-Role Inventory. Results indicate that the inventory’s primary factors were reproduced in the studies, although the Masculine scale was somewhat less invariant than its Feminine counterpart. Thus, the results support the validity of this androgyny measure across several variations in sample types. The study represents a heuristic example of a methodology for the meta-analysis of factor structure studies.     

RECENTLY COMPLETED DISSERTATIONS ON COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES

This study was undertaken to investigate the perceptions held by developmental educators and counselors—student affairs professionals of current procedures for working with students with learning disabilities in community colleges. Current knowledge of students with learning disabilities and perceptions about their academic success were also examined. Implications for practice based on the results of this study were included.     

JournaIism

MAKING NEWS by Martin Mayer (New York: Doubleday, 1987—$18.95)

BAD NEWS AT BLACK ROCK: THE SELL-OUT OF CBS NEWS by Peter McCabe (New York: Arbor House, 1987—$17.95)

SHARED VULNERABILITY: THE MEDIA AND AMERICAN PERCEPTIONS OF THE BHOPAL DISASTER by Lee Wilkins (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1987—$29.95)

SELLING SCIENCE: HOW THE PRESS COVERS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY by Dorothy Nelkin (New York: Freeman, 1987—$16.95)

COMMUNICATING POLITICS: MASS COMMUNICATIONS AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS edited by Peter Golding, et al. (New York: Holms & Meier, 1986 $35.00/17.50)

MAGAZINES: A BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THEIR ANALYSIS, WITH ANNOTATIONS AND STUDY GUIDE by Fred K. Paine and Nancy E. Paine (Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1987—$62.50)

THE TRAINING AND HIRING OF JOURNALISTS by Lee B. Becker, et al. (Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1987—$29.50)

ETHICAL JOURNALISM by Philip Meyer (New York: Longman, 1987—$18.95, paper)     

Information Technology and Gender. Problems and Proposals

The paper examines the possible reasons why there is a gender bias towards males studying computing at secondary school level. The authors have surveyed recent research in the area of information technology (IT) and gender, highlighted some of the major areas for discussion and made a number of recommendations for improving classroom practice. The recommendations are arranged under five headings: access to the curriculum; course design; teachers' attitudes and teaching styles; language; assessment issues; and the role of technology. The aim is to alert teachers to the importance of considering how gender bias is being perpetuated, and then to examine how practice can be improved. The recommendations follow the example already set by the Association for Science Education in the United Kingdom, and note the work done in Scotland by the General Teaching Council in addressing gender as a key issue. Although the discussion focuses upon the Scottish context and in particular the development of computing studies, many of the points apply equally well to the introduction of IT as a cross‐curricular theme at both the primary and secondary stages. This is particularly relevant as IT is a significant development within the 5‐14 Programme in Scotland and mirrors innovation in the area of IT in England and Wales.     

Techniques used by primary school pupils in drawings during science activities

Conclusion It is apparent from the data that pupils use a wide variety of techniques to aid the clarity of their drawings and that they are able to discriminate between them. The data support the value of the teaching method used, where drawings were used as the principal means of communication between the children. The study has shown how, without any teacher instruction on drawing techniques, the children have been able to identify and adapt ones which they see as meeting their requirements. The study has established one teaching method which, following further investigation, could be presented to teachers as a useful strategy during science lessons.