The bio-sciences information exchange of the Smithsonian Institution: a clearinghouse for research in the bio-sciences.

The exchange serves as "… a clearinghouse for current research… work just beginning or not yet ready for publication." Its functions and operations are described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Science Citation Index.

Two recent comments have discussed the problems of assuring relative completeness in the conduct of a literature search (see records 1990-56978-001 and 1990-58219-001). Both letters failed to mention the Science Citation Index, which can be found in most major university libraries. The SCI lists for any particular source article all or nearly all subsequent papers that have cited or referenced the source. All older references used in recent periodicals are included. The use of the SCI in conjunction with the hierarchal search procedure suggested by Goldsamt would seem to be an obvious advantage. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social isolation: A case for interdisciplinary research.

Psychological research on the effects of social isolation on human beings has been relatively sparse, and has been hampered by artificiality, cultural one-sidedness, and some unstated and untested assumptions. Cross-cultural and biographical sources indicate that while isolation may be initially stressful, adaptation does occur; that cultural norms, roles and expectancies are important in determining individual responses to solitude; and that isolation may in fact have beneficial effects in some circumstances. Multidisciplinary efforts among psychologists, anthropologists, historians and biographers would help to shed light on these phenomena, which are important to a variety of theoretical as well as applied areas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The graduate research training environment in professional psychology: A multilevel investigation.

Very little program-level research on psychology graduate research training environments (RTEs) exists despite the RTE being a program-level (vs. student-level) construct. In the current study, the authors investigated correlates of programs' RTEs, including characteristics of the students, the faculty, and the programs themselves. Proportional stratified sampling of American Psychological Association-accredited PhD programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology yielded data from 40 programs. Students and faculty in those programs completed Internet questionnaires, and additional faculty and program characteristics were coded. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed that programs with positive student-rated RTEs had faculty who also viewed the RTE as positive and had satisfying faculty–student relations. These programs also had students with higher levels of research interest and stronger advisory alliances, yet within-program student differences in the RTE explained more variance in these student characteristics than did between-programs differences. This research supports the value of examining the RTE at both the student and program levels, and it suggests that training interventions ought to occur at both levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An agenda for coaching-related research: A challenge for researchers.

The practice of coaching by individuals who consider themselves professional coaches has proliferated, yet coaching is not recognized as a profession. Through a metareview of scholarly works and a qualitative content analysis, an agenda for coaching-related research is proposed and applied to the criteria for a profession as a means of illustrating how coaching-related research can be utilized to support the professionalization of coaching. Recommendations for further study and their linkage to the criterion for professionalization are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Graduate preparation in research methods: The current status of APA-accredited professional programs in psychology.

Graduate preparation in research methods is needed to help ensure that the next generation of psychologists is prepared to consume and engage in research. This study examined the availability of courses in research methods in 192 American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited programs based on reports from program directors in clinical, counseling, school, and combined psychology programs. Results suggest that, although most doctoral-level psychology programs require introductory methods courses, the requirement to take more advanced courses in research methods is less common. Although many programs offer advanced methods courses as electives, fewer than 10% of program directors believe additional courses are needed. Among the areas of specialization, significant differences in required coursework in research methods were found only for factor analysis, which was required most by school psychology programs, followed by clinical psychology and then counseling psychology. In addition, PhD and PsyD programs generally do not differ in requiring coursework in research methods. Data from this study reflect a significant improvement in course offerings in research methods during the last two decades. Implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Foreword.

This introductory statement discusses the history on the American Psychological Association's Project in Scientific Information Exchange. The Project's history begins with a report of the Board of Scientific Affairs, under the chairmanship of Dorwin Cartwright, in the American Psychologist, Volume 14, Number 6, June 1959, pages 267-271. Entitled "Technical Communication in Psychology," the report brought into focus many of the ambient complaints, difficulties, and shortcomings of our traditional system of journals, with the attendant problems of abstracting. The contents of the current issue explore many aspects of scientific communication, including research strategies, innovative practices, conceptual frameworks, uses of computers, and information exchange. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of ICT for Construction Information Exchange among Multidisciplinary Project Teams

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has been commonplace in the construction industry, with the increased functionalities of intranets and extranets in a web-based environment. Yet, human and organizational hindrances bring about consequences which affect the effectiveness of these online collaboration tools. Through a cross-sectional study of six construction-related organizations via interviews with ICT developers and users, these hindrances and consequences are highlighted against contextual backgrounds which depict a wide spectrum of ICT use in the construction industry. The results underpin a questionnaire survey which identified the most frequently encountered hindrances, such as self-discipline, technical support, and system capacity, both for internal and external information exchanges. These hindrances, together with undesirable behaviors such as the tendency to forward information to irrelevant parties and ignore information, would result in double handling and missing of time targets. Results also show that public organizations seem to be less prone to the discipline problems. While ICT advances, it is imperative that users make the best use of it by understanding and avoiding the pitfalls.     

The "eidetic image" and "hallucinatory" behavior: A suggestion for further research.

Both theoretical and experimental ambiguities have long harassed our understanding of eidetic imagery and hallucinatory behavior. The major issues creating the ambiguities are examined and recommendations are made concerning a fruitful research approach to the problem. 32 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The outcome of psychotherapy: A selected analysis of research findings.

A selective review of outcome studies of psychotherapy with emphasis on the major methodological issues of spontaneous recovery and methods of experimental control. The results of 9 studies which used experimental controls were assessed in terms of their limitations and merits in demonstrating the effectiveness of psychotherapy. It is concluded that outcome research with available techniques could be fruitful even though conclusions based on present research must be carefully qualified. (30 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of IFC Modeling Extension for Supporting Drawing Information Exchange in the Model-Based Construction Environment

The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) has been known as a common product model that has interoperability between similar and dissimilar IT systems for the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AEC/FM) industries covering all life cycle phases. Continuous efforts have been undertaken regarding the development of standardized specifications based on the IFC, a product model used in the AEC/FM industries. In accordance, the XM-4 project has been initiated by the Korea Chapter of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) organizations to develop a two-dimensional (2D) extension model for IFC. The XM-4 project aims to add to the IFC2x platform the ability to exchange 2D computer-aided design data within representations of virtual building models, including annotations and styles mainly adapted from the ISO 10303. The focus of this research has been on developing a 2D extension model for the IFC as part of the IAI XM-4 project. This paper provides the scope and rationale of the model extension, major modeling concepts, defined high-level entities and row-level entities, and implementation issues to be considered.     

Learning styles as predictors of self-efficacy and interest in research: Implications for graduate research training.

The literature on research training in professional psychology has yet to address the role of student learning styles on training outcomes. A mail survey of graduate students (N = 132) in professional areas of psychology from 11 universities assessed four dimensions of learning styles, research interest, and research self-efficacy. Students with more active (vs. reflective) and more intuitive (vs. sensing) learning styles reported greater research self-efficacy, and students with more intuitive (vs. sensing) and more verbal (vs. visual) learning styles reported greater research interest. The authors discuss implications for improving graduate research training by encouraging student self-assessment and by providing instruction using balanced pedagogies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A crash research program for peace.

A letter raising questions and requesting information about encouraging nonphysical sciences (social and biological) to solve the problems of "our very survival," about the position of the government represented on a huge research program of a "crash" nature sponsored by the United Nations at a cost of several billions of dollars "for the purpose of scientifically investigating the phenomenon of war," and an indication of reasons that would favor an affirmative vote on the research proposal was sent to head representatives of each of the 81 nations in the United Nations. 26 replies were received. Replies were classified as negative (6), favorably inclined (2), favorable (3), "can not evaluate" (5), and "being considered" (10). Statements excerpted from the replies are presented. A major reason for not supporting the proposed program was "a skepticism concerning the value of its outcome." Results are briefly discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Consumer participation in disability research: The golden rule as a guide for ethical practice.

This article explores the value of the disability research process and outcomes, as viewed by those to whom the research is often directed-the research participants and their peers. The author discusses the "golden rule" for conducting research with people with disabilities and cites literature on participatory action research to assess research outcomes--especially the relevance of such research for those to whom it purports to benefit. The author also discusses guidelines to make disability research more participatory and empowering to those who are identified as beneficiaries of the research outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A current perspective on gender differences: Implications for research in counseling.

This selective review of the literature examines gender differences in counseling process and outcome. Although trends in the findings have revealed that female clients may be more successful with female counselors, most findings have been inconclusive. This problem may stem from applying a traditional individual differences methodology to the study of gender differences. As a result, most effect sizes for gender have been small to moderate. A social psychological model of gender differences that might inform the research on counseling process and outcome is presented, and related recommendations for future research are made. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intention and strategic control: The 1992 Banff Annual Seminar in Cognitive Science.

The Banff Annual Seminar in Cognitive Science (BASICS) has met each year since 1982 in Banff, Alberta. BASICS is a small conference in which six invited speakers present full, colloquium-length talks, followed by extensive discussion and interaction with the other conference participants. The talks this year, as in previous years, coveted a wide range of issues, problems, and paradigms. However, a common thread can be identified in all of the presentations: Each speaker was concerned in one way or another with strategy and intention as an explanatory variable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Difficulties and Hindrances Facing End Users of Electronic Information Exchange Systems in Design and Construction

Since information and communication technology (ICT) was introduced into the construction industry over a decade ago, the once fledging technologies have now been well developed. ICT has been commonly adopted, particularly in places where speedy construction is the norm, e.g., in Hong Kong. At the time when ICT is seemingly well developed, this paper aims at identifying the difficulties and hindrances facing the end users of such information exchange systems during design and construction and the consequential effects on project performance. Through literature review, a series of structured interviews, and a questionnaire survey, it is found that industry users welcomed the advancement of ICT, but that the necessary technical and psychological supports from their organizations were insufficiently provided. In addition, significant differences on the hindrances and their consequential effects have been identified between end users in the private sector and those in the public sector. The study findings have also highlighted factors impeding the smooth implementation of ICT systems at the end-user level, which would help organizations to formulate effective strategies to cope with ever-evolving communication technologies and changes in working style.     

Politics and Science: A Combustible Mixture. Comment.

Comments on the article by Crosby et al (see record 2003-03405-003) in which psychological research is brought to bear on an examination of the policy of affirmative action. In their article, Crosby and colleagues cite the current author's paper "The Role of Value in the World of Psychology" (1999; see record 1999-11644-004) to support their contention that "science can never be fully free of values". The current author states that Crosby and colleagues misinterpreted his position. Specifically, the author believes that the question of whether science is value-loaded or value-free is pointless because the scientific enterprise consists of a variety of independent activities. Discussion centers on the implications of the fact/value dichotomy, science and politics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A research paradigm for the study of interpersonal learning.

A research paradigm is introduced to investigate the process whereby 1 person learns to predict the behavior of another person. The paradigm is derived from Brunswik's probabilistic functionalism and his "lens model" of behavior. Methods of analysis are applied to data provided by an illustrative experiment. Results of the experiment show that interpersonal learning occurs; the results are also shown to have implications for problems inherited from studies of interpersonal perception. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The generations of psychotherapy research: An overview.

Psychoanalytic therapy research can be divided into 4 generations, marked by increasing conceptual sophistication and technological enhancement. The 1st generation (1917–1968) comprised simple retrospective counts of improved outcomes by unspecified criteria. The 2nd generation (1959–1985) consisted of 2 kinds: (1) prospective group-aggregated studies of psychoanalytic treatments, with specified definitions, operationalized criteria, and predictions to expected outcomes, and (2) individually studied outcomes in a sequence of patients. The 3rd generation (1954–1986) combined both kinds of 2nd-generation studies with the added feature of separating outcomes at termination from the more enduring effects at subsequent follow-up. The 4th, current generation (1970s–) adds in microanalytic process studies made possible by recent technological advances-audiotapes, combined with computer searches. Programs are currently being fashioned to combine these ongoing process studies with the best outcome measures in order to realize the principle of Patient-Treatment-Outcome Congruence, the representation of the patient's illness, the treatment process, and assessed outcome in comparable terms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)