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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 028 298 08 By-Brandon, George L., Ed. Research Visibility. Research in Vocational and Technical Education. Bureau No-BR-7-0633 Pub Date Feb 69 Grant- 0EG-2-7-070633 Note-12p. Journal Cit- American Vocational Journal; v44 n2 p41-52 Feb 1969 EDRS Price MF-$0.25 HC-$0.70 Descriptors-*Bibliographies, Curriculum Develcpment, Educational Planning, Educational Programs, *Educational Research, Effective Teaching, Research Problems, *Research Reviews (Publications), Teacher Education, *Technical Education, *Vocational Education Nine research reviews in this issue in vocational and technical educafirsn, organized under these top_ics: (1) Research on Research, which reviews the Octo. 1968 issue of "Review of Educational Research" devoted to vocational education, and a publication on a research priorities planning model, (2) Seminars and Institutes on Research, which summarizes five reports on professional gatherings devoted to research and curriculum development, research planning, students' selection of a vocational education program, Manpower Development and Training Act program findings, and program 'development, and (3) Other Studies, which includes a study on the effects of directive vs. non-directive teachers and a design to forecast new types of industrial technicians. "Plain Talk," a continuing column by the author, exhorts the vocational research movement to become involved in the totality of the challenge facing the field. The bibliography lists 24 other reports related to these topics. (EM) VT 008 183

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Page 1: DOCUMENT RESUME - ERIC · DOCUMENT RESUME ED 028 298 08 By-Brandon, George L., Ed. Research Visibility. Research in Vocational and Technical Education. Bureau No-BR-7-0633 Pub Date

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 028 298 08

By-Brandon, George L., Ed.Research Visibility. Research in Vocational and Technical Education.Bureau No-BR-7-0633Pub Date Feb 69Grant- 0EG-2-7-070633Note-12p.Journal Cit- American Vocational Journal; v44 n2 p41-52 Feb 1969EDRS Price MF-$0.25 HC-$0.70Descriptors-*Bibliographies, Curriculum Develcpment, Educational Planning, Educational Programs, *EducationalResearch, Effective Teaching, Research Problems, *Research Reviews (Publications), Teacher Education,*Technical Education, *Vocational Education

Nine research reviews in this issue in vocational and technical educafirsn,organized under these top_ics: (1) Research on Research, which reviews the Octo.1968 issue of "Review of Educational Research" devoted to vocational education, anda publication on a research priorities planning model, (2) Seminars and Institutes onResearch, which summarizes five reports on professional gatherings devoted toresearch and curriculum development, research planning, students' selection of avocational education program, Manpower Development and Training Act programfindings, and program 'development, and (3) Other Studies, which includes a study onthe effects of directive vs. non-directive teachers and a design to forecast newtypes of industrial technicians. "Plain Talk," a continuing column by the author, exhortsthe vocational research movement to become involved in the totality of the challengefacing the field. The bibliography lists 24 other reports related to these topics. (EM)

VT 008 183

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Pi

JJL [11La is / Application / Dissemination

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE

OFFICE OF EDUCATION

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE

PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS

STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION

POSITION OP POLICY.

Research i Vocational and Technical Encation.":-.;4"

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION is discovery . . . During the briefhistory' of this dissemination 'project, Research Visibilityeditors have emphasized key words which, in their opinions,characterize the nature and dynamics of vocational andtechnical education: people, service and opportunity. Thediscovery keynote of this issue of RV places particularemphasis upon the importance of the 'quest for new knowl-edge, the basic curiosity of professional personnel, and themotivation spirit and challenge of inquiry. And the discov-ery motive is not reserved for zesearchers and the sophisti-cated research process. Historically, vocational educationhas been rich in its potential, for assisting students at alllevels in the discovery of themselves and bringing theirtalents tO more full fruitiontalents which have not bcentoo discernible to many educators and academicians.

To some extent voc. ational education legislation has iradi-tionally included provision for research. Since passage ofthe Vocational Education Act of 1963, vocational researchas a late bloomer has a great deal to show for its effortsdespite the varying degrees of satisfaction expressed for it.One illustration of this fact is noted in the October 1968issue of Review of Educational Research (Vol. XXXVIII,No. 4, American Educational Research Association), por-tions of which are reviewed in this issue of RV. JeromeMoss, Jr., of the University of Minnesota, as chairman of

the, AERA Committee On Vocational, TechniCal and Practi-cal Arts EducatiOn, assisted by 13 leaders in research, hasconsolidated a report which is "directed to researchers andpotential researchers and attempts to provide a'constructiveevaluation of significant projects in order to open newresearckvistas for the reader."

It is RV's opinion that researchers (and others interestedin research) will not only find an interesting review anddocumentary in the Review, but also a different organiza-tion and problem treatment by the Committee. Inasmuch asthe last Review dealing with vocational education waspublished in October 1962 (Vol. XXXII, No. 4), the newpublicaton is, in a sense, an informal inventory and possiblebarometer of the research activity since the VocationalEducation Act of 1963 and perhaps of the shape of things tocome. The summarization chapter, "The Past is Prologue,"of Chairman Moss indicatei a.research milestone and someachievements:

This has been a special six-year period for 'research in vocationaltechnical, and practical arts education. For the first time, because ofthe passage of the Vocational Education Act of 1963, appreciableamounts of funds were made available fox research-development-difiusion activities across the total spectrum of problem areas in thefield. The profession began the slow tooling-up process necessary toproduce qualitative changes in educational programs through systema-tic research-related activities; a cadre' of qualified personnel was

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC ONE: Research on Research 42

Review of Research, p. 42 / Research Priorities in Techincal TeacherEducation, p. 43.

\ TOPIC TWO: Seminars arid institutes cn Research 44

Seminar on Research and Curriculum Development, p. 44 1 Conferenceon VIII Teacher Education, p. 44 / Choice of Vocational Education as anEducational Opportunity. Research Planning Conference, p. 45 / MOTAExperimental and Demonstration Findings, p. 45 / Seminar on AgriculturalEducaticn, p. 47.

TOPIC THREE: Other studies 48

Effectiveness of Directive Teachers Versus Non.Directive Teachers,, p. 48 /Research Design To Forecast Demand for New Types pf Technicians in anIndustry, p. 49.

PLAIN TALK 50

BIBLIOGRAPHY 51

Studies reported in this issue / additional studies / document sources.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Research Visibility is a research project of theAmerican Vocational Association. The Purpose is togive visibility to significant research: experimental,demonstration and pilot programs; upgrading insti-tutes, seminars and workshops; and other leadershipdevelopment activities for teachers, supervisors andadministrators. The Research Visibility report syn-thesizes important projects which . have been re-viewed, selected and analyzed for their value to voca-tional, technical and practical arts educators, guidancepersonnel, and other leaders in education, manpowerand related fields. A composite bibliography, of sig-nificant research and development materials is in-cluded..

The project is cooperatively financed by the Amer-ican Vocational Association and a Vocational Edu-cation Act of 1963 grant (OEG 2-7-07003. project7-003; "Synthesis and Application of Research Fund-ings in Vocational Education").

George L. Brandon, professor in residence (Penn-syhania State Unisersity) is editor of ResearchVi3ibility. He is assisted in the preparation of thesereports by Research Assistant Anne Ware.

As Research Visibility is prepared under a U. S.Office of Education grant, it k not included in theAmerican Vocational Journal copyright.

FEBRUARY 1969

,

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1,

formed and enlarged; the status of verified knowledge was assessed;professional organizations began to take cognizance of the importanceof encouraging research.relatAd efforts; and a network of specialagencies was created to help stimulate, coordinate and conductreseareh.development.diffusion activities.

The Moss and Company report is not the sole reporter ofvocational research and development progress. DirectorRobert E. Taylor and A. J. Miller, Ohio State UniversityCenter, and Co-Director Gerald G. Somers, University ofWisconsin's Center for Studies in Vocational and TechnicalEducation, supply statistical and descriptive evidence ofgrowth in the discovery process. In an informal report toRV, Director Taylor indicates the following general activi-ties and accomplishments of the Ohio State Center:

National Research, Development and Leadership Seniinars. Numberof dctivities-114, with a totai attendance of 4,220, and anorganization representation of 50 state departments of educationand 250 institutions of higher education.

Collaborative effortsResearch and Leadership Development activi-ties. Number .to date-47, with representation of 13 statedepartments, 24 colleges and universities, 5 community colleges, 3professional associations, and 2 others.

New collaborative efforts. There are 39 pending.National Leadership Activity participants. 122 state directors, 728

state supervisors, 1,514 teacher.educators, 1,097 local administra.tors and instructors, and 759 others.

Number of Center publications. 117.Nuniber of publications sold. 26,375.

Program Areas and Abstracts of Project Activities,1968.69 (mimeo), supplied to RV by'Aaron J. Miller, alsoof the Ohio State Center, indicates the Center's six majorprogram areas which provide a focal point for its staffint. 7action and planning: (a) state leadership of vocation-al-technical education, (b) curriculum development, (c)

teacher-education program description, 61) vocational-technical education for the occupationally Aisadvantaged,(e) vocational development and adjustment, and (0 thechange process in vocational-technical education. Each pro-ject is briefly described by an abstract which indicates thetitle, principal investigator, dir,:ation, purpose, objectives,contribution to education, and procedures. The publicationindicates an interesting and active year ahead for the staffand that segment of the vocational community which isinvolved in the ongoing program of the Center.

Report 1968Center fot Studies in Vocational and Tech-nical Education, Industrial Relations Research Institute,The University of Wisconsin, Madison (see bibliographysection of this issue) by Co-Directors J. Kenneth Little andGerald G. Somers, shows in 91 pages the various activities ofthe Wisconsin Center. The publication describes the variousaspects of the Center, now in its fifth year of operation. Inaddition to a description of the center staff, its advisorycommittee and reference unit, Report 1968 indicates thenature .of the research activities (labor market information,training ot the unemployed and disadvantaged, evaluation,comparative studies of training and labor market behavior,Community and political factors affecting vocational .educa-tion, and vocational staffing).

The work of Center graduate students is shown, inadditioxvo the numerous conferences which distinguish thefocal points and interests of the Center in relation todescription of the publications effort (Journal of HumanResources, Newsletter, IRRI Report, reprint series, confer-ence proceedings, RCU reports, faculty publications, andthose which are planned. It is obvious that the Center iiasenjoyed an active and productive yeai.

TOPIC I: Reseaich on Research , See Bibliography for infoimationon availability of complete studies

Review of EduCational Research: Vocational, Technical and Prac-tical Arts Education. Jerome Moss, Jr., and others. American Ed-ucational Research Association, Washington, D.C. October 1968.

This publication reviews the literature for the six-yearperiod since the October 1962 issue of Review of Education-arResearch, which was also devoted to vocational, technical,'and practieal arts education. This Review is divided intochapters by problem area .and is considered to be represen-tative of well-designed studies that have a wide applicabili-ty, give better understanding to practical or theoreticalquestions, and provide better techniques for education andresearch.

Three of the chapters will be treated in detail in forth-coming issue of Research Visibility"Program Evalua-tion," by John K. Coster and Loren A. Ihnen of NorthCarolina State University; "Staffing," by Harland E. Sam-son,, University of Wisconsin; and "Curriculum Develop-znent," by Lloyd J. Phipps and Rupert N. Evans of theUniversity of Illinois.

Chapter I of the Review, "Social and PhilosophicalFramework," Was prepared 'by Elizabethi M. Ray of Penn-

sylvania State University. The Vocational Education Act of1963 provided the ihilosophical framework for develop-ments since that time. Several of the important researchstudies of the 1960s are discussed in light of their contribu-tion and explanation of the new emphasis which has beenplaced on preparing students 'for the world of work: GrantVenn's Man, Education and Work, 1964; Jacob .JKaufman's The Role of the Secondary Schools in thePreparation of Youth for Employment, 1967; Max U.Eninger's The Process and Product of Technical and Indus.trial High School Level Vocational Education in the UnitedStates; and James S. Coleman's Equality of EducationalOpportunity, 1966.

Chapter II, "Manpower Supply and Demand," preparedby Jacob J. Kaufman and Anne F. Brown, is a discussion ofthe interaction of the supply of and demand for labor, thetheory of manpower supply and demand, manpower re-quirements, research requirements for manpower analysis,and labor force projections. Conclusions are that, althoughmethods are not yet refined, it is possible to project trainingand educational requirements to meet demands that will beplaced upon labor. Thus, emphasis is placed upon manpow-

42 AMERICAN VOCATIONAL JOURNAL

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er analysis as a tool for educational planning, with thewarning that it should be utilized only as an approximateguideline since such analysis is 9t yet perfected.

Some of the' major contribatin p. research studies wereNorman Medvin's "Occupationat Job Requirements: AShort Cut Approach to Long Range Forecasting," 1967;Gerd D. Wallenstein's Fundamentals of Technical Manpow-er Planning, 1966; Garth L. Mangum's "The Developmentof Manpower Policy 1961-65"; Solomon Barkin's "Issuesand Research Needs Relative to Manpower," 1967; andJames A. Scoville''s "The Development and Relevance ofU.S. Occupational Data," 1966.

Chapter Hi, "Career Development," was prepared by 1 .

Wesley Tennyson. His comments utilize the research sLof Donald E. Super, Floundering and Trial After i. .;

School, 1967; 'David J. Weiss, The Measurement of Voca-tional Needs, 1964; john a KrumboltZ and Wade W.Schroeder, "Promoting Career Plann:ng Through Reinforce-ment," 1965; John L. Holland, "Major Programs ofResearch on Vocational Behavior," Man in a World at Work(edited by Henry BoroW) 1964; and Warren D. Gribbonsand Paul R. Lohnes, Career Development, 1966.

Daniel "L. Householder prepared the chapter tidal,"Techniquo, and Modes of Instruction," which reviewsstudies of problems of teaching vocational, technical andpractical arts education. Lie mentions the article by DavidC. Bjorkquist, "The Relative Effectiveness of Scale Modelsand Pictorial Drawings in Learning Orthographic Projec-tions," 1966. Other studies in this area were David J. Pucel's"The Subsumption Theory of Meaningful Verbal Learningand Retention Applied to Information Sheets," 1966; JerryStreichler's Review and Synthesis of Research in IndustrialArts Education, 1966; and Hester Chadderson and Alyce M.Fanslow's Review and Synthesis of Research in HomeEconomics Education, 1966.,

Chapter VI, "Organization and Administration," wasprepared by Allen Lee and Herbert M. Hamlin. Some of the,pertinent studies they reviewed were Harold T. Smith'sEducation.and Training for the World of Work, 1963; TheCurrent Status of State Level Organization, by J. ChesterSwanson, 1967; "A Review of Research in the Administra-tion and Supervision of Industrial Education," by JeromeMoss, Jr., 1965; and Flexibility for Vocational EducationThtough Computer Scheduling, by Dwight W. Allen, 1966.

Research Priorities in Technical Teacher Education: A PlanningModel. Aaron J. Miller. The Center for Vocational and TechnicalEducation. The Ohio State University, Columbus. 1967.

In this document Miller presents an analysis of thegeneral area of technical education which provides a frame-work for further inspection of specific parts of this educa-tional system. It is the anticipated purpose of this documentto "serve to structure, clarify and, hopefully, 'trigger' newresearch and development efforts related to this critical areaof teacher education." Miller defines technical education as"a program of planned and integrated classroom andlaboratory experiences designed to prepare a technician forentry into a cluster of jobs in some field of technology . . .

these curricula are generally of post-high school level andare based on the knowledge of science and/or mathematicsassciated with that field of technology."

Miller analyzes the system of technical teacher educationin terms of four aspects: (a) role of the technical teacher,(b) selection and recruitment of technical teachers, (c)programs (with implications for placement) for trainingtechnical teachers, and (d) evaluation of technical teachers.Each of these areas is discussed in terms of pertinentquestions relevant to probleM solutions and a review ofrelevant literature.

The final chapter contains .liggestions for future researchand development activities 116t Mi1r -1, may prolvideanswers to those questions which were left unanswered bythe literature review. Two examples of these suggestions arecontained in the following paragraphs.

1. Determination of Present Sources of Technical Teach-ers. Purpose: To determine the various sources of presenttechnical teachers to gain insights into future sources forteacher recruiting.

Examine, categorize and itemize current sources of tech-nical teachers to determine where they come from; theireducational background and their past occupational experi-ence. Sample both public and private technical institutes,community colleges and area vocational schools in survey-ing the backgrounds of giese teachers.

Develop profiles for the several types of technical teach-ers based upon their past experience, training, eduCation,and other relevant background data.

Evaluate the relative effectiveness of these profile groupsand sources of teachers by some predetermined criteria.

2. Determination of Employment Criteria for TechnicalEducation Teachers. Purpose: To determine the employ-ment criteria for technical teachers at the various programlevels.

Determine the employment criteria and/or certificationrequirements of the state departments of vocational educa-tion for technical education teachers."'

Determine the employment criteiia as expressed by *thevarious institutions employing technical teachers.

Determine any incongruity between employment criteriaat the high sph A and the post-high school level; employ-ment Criteria in institutions subject to the regulations ofstate, certification and institutions and organizations notsubject to these regulations; and employment criteria asexpressed by institutions and actual qualifications of teach-ers being employed.

Keeping Abreast of CAL Current news and developmentsin computer assisted instruction is periodically reportedby Entelek in "Entelek Box Score of CAI Programs." Forinstance in Vol. III, No. 8, Entelek reports the recom-mendation of the influential Committee for Economic De-velopment that, "The missing link in education is devel-opment research aa it is practiced.in industry," and ad-vocates the implementation of such innovations as CAI,PI and closed-circuit TV. The newsletter is published byEntelek Inc., 42 Pleasant St., Newburyport, Mass. 01950.

FEBRUARY 1969 43

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TOPIC TWO: Seminars and Institutes on Research

Report of a National Vocational-Technical Education Seminar onResearch and Curriculum Development, Feb. 7-11, 1966. Herschel

T. Lester, Jr. University of Georgia, Athens.

The purpose of this seminar was to advise vocational-technical education leadership of existing research methodsbelieved to be useful in cOntrolling curricula variables. Theseminar utilized an inter-disciplinary approach to researchin order to take advantage of individuals with variouscompetencies.

Lester feels there are four wiys to avoid waste of humanresdurces in our country today: (a) educational programsmust b nw3e more flexible; (b) curriculums must bepersonalind; (c) continuous and constant counseling mustbe made available; and (d) personal help rr.....st be offeredfor problems which are only indirectly related to school

Twenty-three consultants, 38 participants and 3 observerswere in attendance at the seminar. Eleven of the consultants

-presented the papers which make up the major content ofthis report. This seminar was one of six conducted by theUniversity of Georgia, the American Vocational Association,Cornell University, and the U.S. Office of Education.

The discussion of Norman J: Wood, University of Geor-gi-, "The Interpretation of Economic Data," described someof the major types of economic research (historical research,the nature of our economic institutions, the currentperformance of our economy, economic forecasting, andpublic policy questions). He also described the Consumers'Price Index and the measurement of unemployment interms of the collection and analysis of data.

Raymond Payne, University of Georgia, presented apaper titled, "A Look at Social Class," in which he gave ageneral tmatment of social class and social stratification as

.it is being approached by sociology, social psychology andcultural anthropology.

Selz C. Mayo, North Carolina State University, spoke onthe "Relationships of Community Environment to the Vo-cational Education Curriculum." He gave attention to theimage of vocational education in the community, the imageof adults with respect to additional education, the quality ofthe community educational facility and services, and thesocial stratification system.

Joseph C. Bledsoe, University of Georgia, discussed "Edu-cational Psychology and the Curriculum," with emphasis onthe following: (a) the scope of psychological research ineducation; (b) the conditions necessary for evaluatingcurriculum research; (c) the need for new approaches inresearch; (d) complexity of curriculum evaluations; and(e) inadequacy of dependence of objective data alone.

Harry E. Anderson, Jr., University of Georgia, discussed"Statistical Models in Curriculum Development Studies."Joseph R. Hooten,, Jr., also of the University of Georgia,presented a paper titled, "The New Mathematics: A Patternfor Curriculum Reform." Other papers presented by mem-

, 44

P./.11NIF.

See Bibliography for informationon availability of complete studies

bers of the professional staff of the University of Georgiawere "Curriculum Development and Evaluation in English,"by Many J. Tingle; "The Anthropology Curriculum Projectat the University of Georgia as a Model for CurriculumDevelopment: Practical Problems," by Marion J. Rice; and"General Suggestions for Writing Research Proposals," byWarren G. Findley, Ddvid S. Bushnell, U.S. Office of Edu-cation, described "The Demand for Curriculum Revisionin Vocational Education."

Report of a National Invitational Research Planning Conference onTrade and Industrial Teacher Education, May 23-27, 1966. CalvinJ. Cotrell. The denter for Vocational and Technical Education. TheOhio State University, Columbus. 1966.

This conference was held to stimulate joint state andinstitutional interest in trade and industrial teacher educa-tion research and development. Objectives were:

1. To review previous research in trade 'and industrialteacher education.

2. To review and analyze the professiOnal literature fortrade and industrial teacher education.

3. To review innovations in general teacher education.4. To' review innovative programs and practices in trade

and industrial teacher education.5. To review trade and technical teacher education in the

military service.6. To conside projections for trade and industrial teach-

'er education'.7. To develop guidelines' for the improvement and ex-

pansion of trade and industrial teacher educatidn.8. To identify research and development programs need-

ed *to improve and expand trade and industrial teachereducation.

Twenty-two national leaders in trade And industrialteacher education and related areas participated in thiscorference. Background papers were pre-ented which de-scribed projected teacher education programs.

John L. O'Brian and Carl J. Schaefer presented a surveyof the literature in trade and industrial teacher education,dividing it into five major sections for discussion purposes:(a) Recruitment; (b) The Philosophy of Teacher Educa-tion; (c) Teacher Competencies; (d) Program Organiza-tion; (e) In-Service Offerings; and (f) The Picture, or 'adiscussion of degrees earned in trade and industrial educa-tion as reported by the Department of Health, Educationand Welfare.

0. H. Beaty presented an analysis of sources of trade andindustrial teachers, based on a survey of 35 state supervi-sors of trade and industrial education and 32 state supervi-sors of technical education. Edward K. Hankin gave an anal-ysis of trade and industrial teacher education profession-al literature, with emphasis on instructional methods andaids, test construction, shop management, and, safety. In-

AMERICAN VOCATIONAL JOURNAL

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FEBRUARY 1969 45

, hided in this discussion were certain selected desirabletompettnicies and a bibliography of 403 related textbooksand other reference books and articles. Durwin M. Hanson*o gave an analysis of the professional literature in thearcas of trade analysis, course construction and curriculummaterials development. Gordon G. McMahon presented ananalysis of the literature as it pertains to history andphilosophy, shop planning, and industrial and public Ma-lions.

,

James F. 'Peterman discussed the development of techni-cal training, teacher training, and school administrationprocedures in the U.S. Navy. Dwight W. Allen and David B.Young discussed the use of television recordings in thepreParation of secondary school teachers at Stanford Uni-versity, and included a description and the cost of differentkinds of television recording equipment that were used inthe program. .

David Allen discussed some innovations in trade andindustrial teacher education, comparing the changes inrecruitment and selection of teachers, eduCation curriculumstructure, sequence and content of education courses, meth-ods of presenting teacher education instruction, and meth-ods of evaluating the education programs. He also presenteda comparison of teacher certification' requirements in vari-ous states, and tlie type and amount of professional teachereducation preparation required by various states. Implica-tions of computerized instruction, flexible schedUling, andprojections of trade and industrial teacher education werediscussed by George L. Brandon, Dwight W. Allen andMelvin L.,Barlow, respectively.

Tiventy-one research and development suggestions wereagreed upon by the participants as having high priority. Thetop five in this list were as follows:

1. Identify and evaluate 'practices of preservice andinservice trade ,and industrial teacher education in the

nation.2. Prepare monographs to fill voids in the professional

literature.for trade aad industrial teacher education.3.. Evaluate the teacher education principles developed

during the planning conference.4. Identify the unique features of trade and industrial

and technical teacher education and the elements commonto all vocational and technical teacher education programs.

5. Conduct a study to establish minimum standards forteacher'education for a state.

Choice of Vocational Education as An Educational Opportunity.Report of a Research Planning Conference, Fort Washington,Penn., Sept. 8-9, 1967. Edited by Theodore J. Cote and others.The Center for Vocational and Technical Education. The Ohio

State University. 1967.

The American Personnel and G.uidance Association Com-mission on Guidance and Vocational Education .is chargedwith improving the dialogue .between vocational educationand guidance. This conference was one of the Commission'sfirst projects. Preliminary to the conference, a research planwas developed to deal with factors which influence youth in

the selection of vocational education as a means of vocation-al development.

Participants in the conference were members of theCommission and representatives of the Vocational Educa-tion Research Coordinating Units from PennsylVania, NewJersey and Delaware. The conferees discussed the initialresearch plan and developed guidelines for its improve-ment. Emphasis was given to developing a research modelfor use in various school districts.

Two papers were presented during the conference whichindicated reactions and recommendations to the existingresearch model. Martin R. Katz, Educational Testing Serv-ice, Princeton, N. J., and Alan G. Robertson, director,Division of Evaluation, New York State Education Depart-ment, presented these papers.

The objectives of the initial research plan were (a) to

study in-depth the environmental obstacles and impedimentsin communities that discourage' students frain choosingvocational education; (b) to develop a model to assess theseobstacles and impediments; and (d) to" propose solutionsfor overcoming the obstacles determined to be impoitant bythis study. The design of the plan would, thus, involve anin-depth study and collection of data, the development of aconceptual model and the' recommendation of solutions .toobstacles.

As a result of the conference the research plan wasmodified by changing the terminology to speak of "influ-ences and factors" rather than "impediments and obstacles."In addition, the first objective was expanded, as follows:

To identify and evaluate the degree of intensity of these influencesand factors that' impinge positively or negatively on .the student'sconsideration and/or selection of vocational education as an alterna-tive opportunity in working toward a career or occupational goal.

a. To consider the impact of certain varhthles (individual, school,community, family) iii terms of the identifiction of thesefactors and influences, and the manifestation of degree ofintensity of these factors and influences.

b. TO determine the differential perceptions of significant groups,e.g., 1. guidance personnel, 2. academic Jeachers, and 3.vocational educators, ,relative to the factors and influencesbearing, on the consideration and/or selection by students ofvocational education as an educational alternative.

c. To direct special attention to those factors and influences whichmay lend themselves io modification.

Three alternatiye methods were suggested: (a) involve-ment of a vocational 'school whose students come fromseveral school districts; (b) involvement of several largecomprehensive high school districts; and (c) involvementof a comprehensive high school district which has a varietyof student-family input variables.

MDTA Experimental and Demonstration Findings: Putting Research,Expgrimental .and Demonstration Findings to Use. Curtis C. Allerand others. Manpower Administration, Department of Labor, Wash-ington, p.c., June 1967.

A multi-agency seminar on the problem of utilization ofresearch findings was held Nov. 28-29, 1966, in Washington,D. C. The thirty participants were involved in manpowerresearch, experimentation and demonstration, and during

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this 'seminar they discussed the nature of _diffusion ofinnoitation and defined the barriers to it. This bookletcobtains their suggested ways to facilitate knowledge utiliza-tion. It also contains a position paper of the Bureau ofResearch, U.S. Office of Education, 1966; and a descriptionof current activities of some federal agencies in dissemina-tion and utilization.

Reproduced below in their entirety are the suggestionswhich resulted from this seminar. The participants note thatnot all the suggestions are relevant to each type of demon-stration activity, and that the degree of application is closelylinked to availability of resources and the objectives _f theparticular program.

"1. Stimulate good research proposals by (a) streamlin-ing grant _and contract procedures, including providing asmall planning stipend after approval of an injlrmalproposal, and by (b) inviting and reaching out for submis-sion of proposals in a given field to assure desired comple-mentary studies and needed coverage of given subjects, notjust waiting for proposals to be submitted.

"2. Prepare and distribute to potential users comprehen-sive but succinct periodic reviews of the state of theart/knowledge in given fields. In these reviews, point upgaps which might be filled ,by Research and Development(R & c) or Experimental and Demonstration (E & D)proj ects.

"A. Ask and .try to answer continuously, from incePtionto completion of a proiect; the questions of its aims andultimate use of results. Whom is the demonstration intendedto influence? What are the obstacles to the good use ofresults, and how can these obstacles be overcome? Whatcriteria should be used to evaluate the results? 'When thesequestions have been tentatively answered, either before the.project begins or at the start, bring in representatives of theidentified program group who might be expected to utilizethe findings (in addition to requiiing that each propoialinclude recommendations by the sponsor on how to imple-ment the findings of his project). The representatives willmeet with the project staff and funding agency programofficer, for consultative reaction.s to the tentative answers.These persons may well be helpful with practical advice notonly regarding possible improvement of the project, butalso regarding appropriate ways of interesting potentialusers' or colleagues in their own field.,. "4. Provide for continuous interaction between grantoror contractor and grantee, from the beginning of the projectthrough the period of dissemination and efforts to applyresults. This may imply more technical training for Wash-ington agency staff; more staff devoted to keeping in contactwith projects and stimulating use of results; better inter-agency coordination; development of a clearinghouse. anddata retrieval system similar to that new in use by the Officeof Education.

"5. Provide in the project methodology a lbuilt-in com-ponent on reporting procedures and statistical data whichwould permit subsequent evaluation and utilization.

"6. Summarize findings in separate, brief, nontechnical,and very readable reports, in addition to the full technicalreports. Get criticisms of at least the summary reports from

key representatives of potential users before they are put infinal form. Then disseminate them widely to members of thevarious groups of potential consumers.

"7. Conduct seminars in conjunction with site-visits,where potential users. can discuss the innovation, perhapssee it and "feel" it as something alive, and consider itsapplicahility to other situations. The participants could havesmall group discussions of ways to adopt and perhaps toimprove the 'innovation. Encourage each participant to tellabout innovations in his own facility. Thus, each 'participar4can become a giver as well as a Teceiver of information.

"8. Reduce wasteful proliferation and fragmentation ofresearch, demonstrations, services and research utilizationefforts by developing better interagency ekchanges td dis-cuss policies and problems as well as projects alreadyunderway or needed to help fill: gaps in knowledge. Agen-cies als*o could work out common as well as unique strate-

.gies for utilization of promising findinb.. The more complexour society becomes and the more specialized the focus ofdifferent groups, disciplines 'and aiencies, the greater theneed for system integration to relate the parts to the whole.

"9. Replicate important demonstrations as a means ofaccumulating more experience and, through reaffirmation,giving them more impact.

"10. Identify and recruit key practitioners in variouslocalities to apply the innovation to their own setiings.Their example might be expected to foster adoption, amongothers with whom they are influential. To facilitate applica-tion of the innovation, provide human links or changeagents who are, thoroughly familiar with it to serve asconsultants to the institutio... which is intereSted in explor-ing, adopting or adapting the innovation. Use the projectstaff, where appropriate, for this change agent and consul-

,tant function."11. Invite attention to the potential rewards of adop.

ting the innovationfor example, winning, approval fromkey persons or sources, gaining prestige, reducing costs,improving servicesso that the potential user can identifythem with his self-interest.

"12. Obtain policy commitment .from funding agencies,.to. the idea that dissemination and utilization functions arean integral part of their research' program. Implement thiscommitment by providing each research-support operatingdivision with'a dissemination and utilization stall of its own,in addition to an overall Bureau of Office capability. Thisoperating division staff would work with agency programofficers and sometimes with the demonstration project staffsto see that their procedures contain evaluation, dissemina-tion, and implementation components. Unless steps aretaken to promote implementation after research and de-velopment, and unless someone is responsible for seeingthat such steps are taken, considerable lag can be expected.

"13. Evaluate the financial considerations involved inputting project findings to use; e.g., the extent to which theproject might supplement or support existing, ongoingpractices or services; the cost-benefits involved; the distinc-tions between the costs of adopting the critical or essentialelements of a project and adding those which are marginal-

ly valuable." .

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Report of a National Seminar on Agricultural Education ProgramDevelopment and Research, Aug. 9-13, 1965. Robert E. Taylor, The

Center for Vocational and Technical Education, The Ohio State

. University, Columbus.

The objective of this seminar was to give state leaders invocational agriculture and vocational education a chance toformulate plant to improve state programs of .research anddevelopment. Seminar pArticipants made no attempt todevelop policies or guidelines for program development andresearch; instead, their, time was devoted to examiningvarious approaches. The 68 participants were particularlyinterested in the leadership role of state staffs in thefollowing areas, as presented by Taylor:

1. Developing plans for, comprehensive, continuing stateprograms of research and development:

2. Utilizing outside resources to assist in program de-Velopment and research.

3. Planning, conducting and evaluating pilot programs:4. Facilitating the adoption of new programs in agricul-

tural education..

5. Identifying sources of funds for program develop-ment and research activities.

6. Reviewing and planning regional research programs.Thirteen of the consultant staff members made presenta-

tions during the course of the seminar. Lloyd J. Phipps,chairman, Department of Agricultural Education, Universi-ty of Illinois, 'spoke on "Developing Comprehensive StatePrograms of Research and Development." Commenting onthe impact which automation in farming has had on manpow-er needs for production, Phipps said it will create a need fornew educational services in agricultuie and a "Pandora'sBox" of demands for research, development and evaluationin agricultural education. It will be necessary for agricul-tural education research 'and development programs toadjust to the resulting changing manpower requirements,with emphasis On discovering the best way .to utilize thetalents of vocational agriculture tearhers, influencing theAmerican public opinion in favor of vocational and techni-cal education, and realizing the importance of nonproduc-tion agricultural job opportunities. Some specific programsneeded in research and development are described brieflybelow.

1. Change the image of vocational agriculture so that thepublic realizes that vocational agriculture has an importantrole to play in the schools.

2. Learn how .to expand agr; -iltural education, to indude teaching skills in plant and animal science and relateddisciplines.

3. Learn how to teach agrire'ture as it applies to theeveryday affairs of living.

4. Learn how the talents of vocational agriculture teach-ers can be effectively utilizeci in the schools' total vocationaleducation program.

5. Learn how the talents of 'nonagricultural professionalpersonnel such as other vocational teachers, guidance coun-selors, and nonvocational teachers, and administrators, canbe utilized to ease the burden on agriculture teachers.

FEBRUARY 1969

. tVen, .1{104t,

6. Learn how to effectively.1

'serve disadvantaged youthand adults.

Phipps also presented some specific recommendations fororganization of research and development, some of whichare (a) establishment of research and development commit-tees at all institutions which, prepare vocational teachers;(b) earmarking of time in agricultural education staff meet-ings for the planning and analysis of research and develop-ment projects; (c) regular scheduling of research and de-velopment meetings between teacher-educators and super-visors and teacher representatives: (d) encouragement ofvocational agriculture teacher associations at state and na-tional levels to establish research and development commit-tees; and (e) encouragement of action research bi teachers.

Duane M. Nielsen, directOr, Educational 'sources De-velopment Branch, U.S. Office of Educatio.., spoke on4Opportunities and Responsibilities for Research and De-velopment." lie stated that in our rapidly changing society,"the supierne challenge to research and develoPment inagricultural education is to innovate, experiment anddemonstrate' so that ivograms may 'more effectivelk serve abroadened clientele." He went on to discuss the reorganiza-tion of the U.S. Office of Education and to give a progressreport on the fiscal 1965 activities under Section 4(c) of\ theVocational Education Act of 1963.

Nielsen presentea seven priority areas for research a.development concentration in agricultural education. Theyare (a) program evaluation;. (b) curriculum developmentand experimentation; (c) personal and social significanceof 'work; (d) personnel recruitment and develOpment;. (e)program organization and administration; (f) adult andcontinuing education; and (g) occupational informationand career choice.

John K. Coster, University of Nebraska, presented someremirks on "Developing Proposals for Funding Researchand Development Projects." He pointed out that proposalswhich yould receive consideration under Section 4(c) ofthe Vocational Education Act of 1963 would be those whichwould have the widest possible impact on the program ofvocational and technical education for the nation.

Coster discussed in detail the important elements of asound proposal that should be clearly stated: (a) thedevelopment of the problem; (b) the innovative qualities ofthe proposal; (c) the significance of the study for vocation-al and technical education; (d) the details. of the design ofthe study; (e) an evaluation of the technique of collectingdata to be used in measuring the effectiveness of theprogram and the selection of criterion measurement instru-ments; (f) the adequacy of personnel and facilities; and(g) the economic efficiency of the project: He concluded hisremarks by presenting some guidelines for writing propos-als, including several points to avoid.

Glenn Z. Stevens, The Pennsylvania State University,presented a summary of "Promising Research Directions inOff-Farm Agricultural Occupations." Information is nowavailable on jobs that exist, anticipated employment trendsand amounts of education needed for job entry. Stevenssuggests four major directions for research:

47

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1. The. classification of job titles by fields of activity andthe grouping of subject matter areas by commonalities ofknowledge, skills and human relations abilities.

2. The testing and eyaluation of instructional materialson a continuing basis.

3. A survey of "supporting education" to determine its

impact; e.g., whether to teach distribution methodology,communications skills or human relations areas as anintegral part of a product knowledge course or as separatecourses.

4. The evaluation, recordkeeping and reporting systemsin placement and adult counseling areas. -

TOPIC THREE: Other Studies. Sep Bibliography for information

on availability of complete studies

A Study of the Effectiveness of Directive Versus Non-DirectiveVocational Teachers as a Function of Student Characteristics andCourse Format Bruce W. Tuckman. RutgersThe State University,New Brunswick, N. J. 1968.

Vocational education typically is oriented toward individ-ual instruction. This study was undertaken to ascertainanswers to the questions of (a) with whom to use directiveor non-directive teaching techniques, and (b) in whatcourse organization. One purpose of this study was tocollect data to indicate if teachers should receive training indirectiVe and non-directive techniques in order to be able touse them when applicable to particular students. Tuckmanalso sought to discover if teachers should vary techniques, tomatch the various learning environments, e.g., use onetechnique in the shop or laboratory and the other techniquein the classroom.

.

The stated objectives of the study were as follows:(1) To develop and validate a measure of teacher direc-

tiveness.(2) To test the following hypotheses,: (a) Highly direc-

tive-oriented students perform better in courses under direc-tive teachers; their' prefer such teachers and are moresatisfied in their Course's; (b) Non-directive-oriented stu-dents prefer non-directive teachers, -perform better in theircourses and receive more satisfaction from these teachers;

. (c) Directive-oriented student effects will come mainly fromthe classroom setting, while the non-directive-oriented stu-

.cent effects will dome mainly from the shop setting.

The first phase of this study included the development ofa definition of teacher directiveness and non-directiveness, ameasure of teacher directiveness and a demonstration of thevalidity of the instrument. The second phase was concernedwith the use of this device to test the hypotheses givenabove.

After a thorough study of pertinent literature, the follow.ing behaviors were associated with directive teaching, in-dicating that the directive teacher is structured, absolute andformal:

Structure(1) formal planning and structuring of the course(2) minimizing informal work and group work(3) structuring group activity when it is used(4) rigidly structuring individual and classroom activity(5) requiring factual knowledge from students based on absolute

.sourcesInterpersonal(1) using absolute and justifiable punishment(2) minimiOng the opportunity to make and learn from mistakes

(3) maintaining a formal classroom atmosphere(4) maintaining a formal relationship with students(5) taking absolute responsibility for grades

Inasmuch as validity and reliability of student ratingscales are generally known to be high, Tuckman designedthe Student Perception of Teacher Style scale' (SPOTS) toobtain a description of teacher bihavior. The SPOTS scalecontains 32 items which describe classroom behavior andwas conipleted, by 363 students in 22 classrooms. To val-idate the student rating, an observer rating . scale wasdeveloped; based on the operational definition of directiveteaching given above. Two observers completed an 'indepen-dent set of ratings on each cooperating teacher after *a fullclass period Of observation.

To test the hypotheses, 514 male student'S (all of whomw.eie in their junior or senior years and pursuing anoccupational course of study) 'filled out a revised SPOTS on40 male teachers. Of these teachers, 24 were chosen forinclusion in the study (12 taught shop courses and 12tauglit n'onshop courses). Based on their revised SPOTSscores, these teachers were assigned to either a directive or anon-directive group. Two weeks before the end of the school.year, data for three dependent measures were collectedwhich described course satisfaction, teacher preference andcourse grade. The students also completed the InterpersonalTopical Inventory ind -the F-Scale (measurements of per-sonality) in order that they could be classified as abstract orconcrete information processors and an authoritarian ornon-authoritarian in attitode.

Tuckman reached the following conclusions:1. In an absolute sense, teachers of vocational subjects

were more non-directive than teachers of non-vocationalsubjects.

2. Students were more satisfied with and preferred non-directive teachers to directive teachers, both in the vocation-al and non-vocational areas. However, students' preferencefor non-directive teachers was more marked among voca-tional teachers than among non-vocational teachers.

3. Students earned higher grades from non-direCtivenon-vocational teachers than they did from directive non-vocational teachers. (Grades earned from the two groups ofvocational teachers, however, were comparable.)

4. Abstract students showed a marked preference fornon-directive vocational teachers over directive ones whileconcrete students showed approximately equal preferencefor the two groups.

5. Non-authoritarian students showed more markedcourse satisfaction and higher grades under non-directive

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non-vocational teachers as compared to directive teachersthan did authoritarian students. That is, non-authoritarianstudents showed greater discrimination and a more differen-tiated dutcome in favor of non-directive teachers than didtheir more authoritarian counterparts.

6. Students preferred and were more satisfied.with vocv-tional teachers than non-vocational teachers but they earnedslightly higher grades from non-vocational teachers.

Based on his conclusions, Tuckman offers the followingfour recommendations:

1. Teacher education should offer more informationabout non-directive teaching; there should be opportunityto utilize the information.

2. Teacher education should emphasize the importanceof utilizing non-directive and directive methods as theypertain to the individual f nt. Tuckman feels this ap-proach is particularly appropriate in vocational schoolswhere more emph-asis should be given to individual differ-ences.

3./ Non-vocational subject courses should be modified to's make them more meaningful and palatable in order to

overcome the general dissatisfaction of the vocational stu-dent.

4. Research and development related to individual stu-.

dent differences in various learning environments should beencourdged.

Research Design To Forecast Demand for New Types of Techni-cians in an Industry. John L. Fulmer, Robert E.. Green and Paul B.Han, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. February 29, 1964.

In order for skilled manpower to keep pace with theincreasingly rapid effects of technological advances it is,important to be able to forecast the future demand for suchmanpower. Such forecasting is vital in order to effectivelyanticipate training demands. The research design developedin this study was planned to detect, define and forecast theneed for emerging new technicians in any given ared.Another objective of this design was to provide informationrelevant ..to Me upgrading and displacement of skilledworkers, and about new types of skilled workers needed tosupport the new technician.

The aUthors conclude that new technicians, can be detect-ed only through the use of detailed personal interviews withcompany executives who are concerned with technologicaldevelopment. Two questionnaires were developed for use insuch interviews: one is nonstructured and deals with currenttechnological problems, the other is stkuctured and dealswith job specification details and training requirements fornew technicians.

Forecasting the need for new technicians can also beaccomplished through the use of -personal interviews withtop technical personnel in order to determine major techno-logical problems and their relationship to skill requirementsin the different industries. This should be followed by aquestionnaire survey of a larger number of firms in order totest the ability of top management in a particular industryto recognize its need for new technicians.

FEBRUARY. 1969

As part of Phase One, fhe authors utilized data from theGeorg' ia Skill Study and obtained specific results for thestate's textile industry through the use of the intensiveinterviews mentioned above. Top management and technicalpersonnel of several textile Elms in Georgia were inter-viewed during the summer and fall of 1962.

To obtain a summar;zation of the major technologicalproblems in the industry the interviewees were presentedwith a form, "Analysis of New Types of Technical Workersfor a Sample of Companies," in which they were asked tochoose which of six alternative advantages would accrue totheir respective companies as a result of exploiting techno"-,logical change. The six advantages presented were as fol.lows:

I. Cost savings from newer processes.2. First entry into the,morket with improved products or

new products.'3. Gain in market share from newer products.4. High rate of profits from rising volume.5. Competitors being kept off balance by faster adop-

tions of technological change.6. Pride or organization from faster adoption of technol-

ogy.In addition, they were requested to check off a list of 12

technological changes already affecting the textile industry(obtained from previous interviews with a smaller sampleof textile firm representatives), noting those which affectedtheir own companies. Two examples are given below.

The trend toward expensive, complex machinery, in-volving electronic mechanisms and often also hydraulic orpneumatic, which enlarge the problem of preventive mainte-nance.

The growing importance of the computer for dataprocessing and management controls. In time, computer usefor production planning will grow.

The same respondents were asked to list any, additionaltechnological problems they had. The original list of 12 wasaccepted as being representative of technological problemsnow affecting the textile industry.

Phase One also involved the identification of new types oftechnicians. Eleven plant job titles of ,new technicians weredetermined, one of which is the Chemical Process ControlTechnician who operates between staff chemists ,and ma-

,

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chine onerators in testing or analyzing chemicals and mate-riat enterini and leaving process.

A field investigation of the problem was conducted fromJuly to September 1963, during which time Fulmer andGreen sought, the most effective ways to communicateinformation, on technoloical problems and job specifica-tions of new technicians to 'various types and sizes of textilecompanies, and to obtain information through question-naires about the need for new technicians in these firms.

They contacted 29 companies through personal inter-views, single letter with questionnaire and materials, and a

two-phase letter. The usual methods of follow-up wereperformed. The response rate was as follows: (a) personalinterviews-79 percent; (b) single letter-27 percent; ,(c)two-phase letter-75 percent. They concluded that a re-sponse is often dependent upon gaining the attention of acompany president, which can be done by having recognizedstatewide sponsors of the study. Because of the complexityof communication, multi-unit firms should be handled bypersonal interView. When using an initial contact 'letter, itshould state the objectives of. the study and show clearlyhow the company can benefit by responding.

. nal valfa1

AS IT IS. VERY EVIDENT from previous issues of ResearchVisibility, the znOnthly chatter from "Plain Talk" seeks' costimulate communication, particulvrly that communicationabout research and its relationship to vocational and techni-cal education. At the outset it is realized that some of RV'scOmmunication may be a repetition of information whichmay have been appeared elsewhere; or it may be a re-statement of emphasis previously made; and finally, it isnot above making an observation or airing a grievance inreflection of an undesirable condition which may inhibit orthwart the research and development process. Hopefully, inthis issue none of these communication modes are predomi-nant and'will assume the upper hand.

The VoCational Research Movement in Transition.Begging final evaluation of research productivity which willnever come, it is felt that the development of research invocational and technical education is momentarily in a stateof flux. The VEA of 1963 has been superseded lny the VEAsof 1968. What has our research community learned (andproduced) in the half-decade? What are the implicationsfor research and development of VEA '68? To what extent isour research manpower in the position zo fully exploit andmount research provisions for a pervasi,re program? Are weadequately organized to accomplish the research task?

A number of wholesome influinces, evidence, alleviations(possibly some, solutions) may be apprized on the plus sideof the ledger. We are older, consequently more experienced,and wiser. Through the influence of institutions, agencies,research centers, research coordinating units, professionalresearch organizations, etc., there is better organization ofeffort and unity of purpose. We have more than cut ourbaby teeth on grantsmanship. We have possibly learned thatresearch does not exist in a vacuum, as a separate entity,any more than do other aspects, or legislative provisions, ofthe acts which support our program.

Of course, there is a negative side of the ledger. Undoubt-edly, a long and troublesome list of minus anecdotes might.make up its historical record, but the job to be donedisparages the preservation of errors and calculated risks.

50

1

It is hoped that in the here-and-now and in the prepara-tion for new achievements of the new vocational, educationlegislation that the research segment of the vocationalcommunity will become involved in the totality of .thechallenge. The involvement is both individual arid group,and, prOfessional throughout. Among many professionalresearch groups which can be highly instrumental, AVERA(American VoCational Education Research Association) andthe Department of Research and Evaluation of the Ameri-'can Vocational Association sh uld be rallying points for theorganizational thrust. The latter, especially, as a newcomerto AVA organization and acrvity with its close tie ofaffiliation to AVA divisions, has unlimited potential iffortified with interest, hard work and the formulation of anon-going program of around the calendar activity of re-search and its intimate relationship to evaluation.

A Tip of the RV Hat to the AVERA Beacon. The'Beacon is helping to close the credibility gap in communica-tions. It keports interesting developme ts and problems ofthe junior-community college, highlig ts of VEA 1968,bio-medical curriculum development studies, pilot revisionof technical curricula in Georgia AVTS's, and membersupport of a new AVERA research publication, VocationalEducation Research Quarterly, to be launched in the nearfuture. The Beacon also introducei a recent newcomer to theeducational 'publications field:

The Junior College Research Review, a monthly rep rt on researchfindings and recommendations, is compiled each month by the ERICClearinghouse for Junior College Information located at the Universi-ty of California at Los Angeles. In the new publication are listedabstracts of documents, bibliographies, and specialized materials, inthe community college field. Subscriptions may be obtained byaddressing the ERIC Clearinghouse for Junior College Information,UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 90024.

How Are Your International Vocational EducationHorizons? The November-December 1968 issue of ILOPanorama is interesting (and important) literature to thevocationalist. Among its announcements of new ILO (Inter-national Labour Office) 'publications are Labour and Auto-mation: Bulletin No. 7, The ILO and Safety and Health of

AMERICAN VOCATIONAL JOURNAL

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Workers, and The ILO and Youth, and there are full lengtharticres about factory-made houses, Pindorarna and the

. "danger down the mine." Panorama is free for the asking atILO Regional Offices, United Nations, 345 E. 46th St., NewYork, N.Y., 10017 (limited distribution oniy), or from theWashington Branch Office, 917-15th St., N.W., Washington,D.C. 20005. .

Two publications from the Swedish CoUncil for Person-nel Administration, Research Projects 1968, and Research,

,Consultation Information will be of value to researchers,consultants and educators interested in leadership andsupervisory development. The PA Council has been activesince 1952 in the dissemination of knowledge of the behavi-oral sciences and personnel administration. Both publica.tions describe tile work of the Council and may be requestedfrom the PA-Council, Box 5157, Stockholm 5, Sweden.

Now It's the "Convergence Technique" in ResearchPlanning and Strategy. If our readers have not alreadysemi evidence of this new technique in Management Scienceof April 1967, and the September' 1968 issue of Educa-tional Researcher, official newsletter, of the American Edit-cational Research Association, there is more about theconvergence technique in the October 1968 issue of theAERA Newsletter. Briefly, the technique is one which isborrowed from the .1.Nt4tional Cancer Institute for a USOEBureau of Research trial under, a grant with Phi DeltaKappa. The "promising tool for the strategic planning of acomplex research effortk" will be put to work on basicresearch of reading, but that the technique has strong

implications for all educational research is the.hypothesis ofthe Phi Delta Kappa planning grant. The essence of the newmethodology is strategy of research program instead ofemphasis upon research tactics. In relation to our currentstage and need of research planning in vocational andtechnical education, several statements from biomedicalresearchers Baker and Carrese Management Science (April1967) are illustrative:

The reviews associated with the allocation of resources for thesupport of medical research grants focus primarily on tactical'segments, with less emphasis given to program strategies. In thisframework, most of the review process utilites criteria for assessmentsthat are suitable for the evaluation of tactical quality, but not forstertegic relevance, primarily because eacit grant application isreviewed individually and usully in scientific disciplinary frame-of-reference. That a project is judged to be excellent from a scientificdiscipline frame-of-reference does not necessarily mean that it is ofstrategic significance from a program standpoint. Conversely, aproject that may five a lower priority in the specialized disciplineframe-of-reference may be critical for program accomplishmentbecause the data on products produced are vitally needed for the totalprogram implementation, or because the work interrelates closely withone or more other projects.

Is the dilemma of 'vocational education research andresearch administration similarly described?

MARCH ISSUE . . . Next month, Research Visi-bility will focus its attention 'on "The VocationalEducation Curriculum."

wavicxnarav. (For ordering information, see "Document Sources" listed on next page.)

TOPIC ONE: Research on Research

"Review of Educational Research: Voca-tional, Technical, and Practical Arts Educa-.tion." Jerome Moss, Jr., and others. Ameri-can Educational Research Association,Washington, D.C. October 1968, Vol.XXXVIII, No. 4. 142 pages. Single copyavailable for $3.00 from AERA, 1126-16thSt., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Bulkcopy discount: 2-9 copies, 10 percent; 10 ormore copies, 20 percent.

"Research Priorities in Technical TeacherEducation: A Planning Model." Aaron J.Miller. Center for Vocational Education,Ohio State University, Columbus. October1967. 56 pages. (ERIC * ED 016 815,MF-$0.25, HC42.32.)

TOPIC TWO: Seminars and Institutes on Research

"Report of a National Vocational-Technical Education Seminar on Researchand Curriculum Development, Feb. 7-11,1966." Herschel T. Lester, Jr., 1966. 145

. FEBRUARY 1969

pages. University of Georgia. Athens. (ERIC# ED 018 592, MF-$0.75, HC-$5.88.)

"Report of a National Invitational Re-search Planning Conference: Trade and In-dustrial Teacher Education May 23-27, 1966."Calvin J. Cotrell, The Center for Vocationaland Technical Education, The Ohio StateUniversity, Columbus. 1966. 197 pages.(ERIC ,# ED 011 043, MF-$0.75, HC-$7.88.)

"Choice of. Vocational Education . as anEducational Opportunity: Report of a Re-search Planning Conference, Fort Washing-ton, Pa., Sept. 8-9, 1967." Theodore J. Coteand others. The Center for Vocational andTechnical Education. The Ohio State Univer-sity, Columbus. 1967: 57 pages.

"MDTA Experimental and DemonstrationFindings: Putting Research, Experimentaland Demonstration Findings to Use." CurtisC. Aller and others, U.S. Department ofLabor, Manpower Administration, Washing-ton, D.C. June 1967. 80 pages. (Available atno charge from the Manpower Administra-tion Information Office, Washington, D.C:

20210. Also available: ERIC # ED 016 067,MF-$0.50, HC-$3.28.)

"Program Development and Research: Re-port of a National Seminar on AgriculturalEducation Program." Robert E. Taylor, Cen-ter for Vocational and Technical Education,Ohio State University, Columbus. Aug. 13,1965. 191 pages (ERIC # ED 011 Q36,MF-$0.75, HC-$7.64.)

TOPIC THREE: Other Studies

"A Study of the Effectiveness of DirectiveVersus Non-Directive Vocational Teachers asa Function of Student Characteristics andCourse Format." Bruce W. Tuckman. Rut-gers University, New Brunswick, N.J. Sept.1968. 120 pages. (See future Research inEducation for availability.)

"Research Design To Forecast Demand forNew Types of Technicians in an Industry."John L. Fulmer and others. Georgia Instituteof Technology, Atlanta, Ga. Feb. 19, 1964. 90pages. (CFSTI # AD 602 431, MF-$0.65,HC-$3.00.)

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Additional Studies - Noi Reported In This Issue

TOPIC ONE: Research on Research

"Review of Research in Vocational Tech-nical Teacher Education." Jerome Moss, Jr.,Minnesota Research Coordinating Unit inOccupational Education, Minneapolis, Minn.Sept. 1967. 42 pages. (ERIC # ED 016 803,MF-$0.25, HC-$1.76.)

"Review of Educational Research: Voca-Aional, Technical, and Practical Arts Educa-tion." William B. Michael and Others. Amer-ican Educational Research Association, Wash:ington, D.C.,Oct. 1962. Vol. XXXII, No. 4 76pages. Single copy available for $1.50 fromAERA, 1126.16th sc., N.W., Washington,D.C. 20036. Bulk copy discount: 2-9 .eopies,10 percent, 10 or .more copies, 20 percent.All orders should be accompanied by pay-ment,

"Review of Research on Creativity." Mar-shal Hahn.. Minnesota Research Coordinat-ing Unit in Occupational Education, Unit-versity of Minnesota, MinneaPolis, Minn.,Sept. 1968. 28 pages. (For ERIC # seefuture Research in Education.)

"Sponsored Research in American Univer-sities and Colleges." Edited by StephenStrickland, American Council on Education.Washing-on, D.C. 1968. 260 pages. For sale,85.00 from American Council on Education,1785 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington,D.C. 2Q036.

"Gaps and Overlaps in Institutional Re-search." John E. Roueche American Associa-tion of Junior Colleges, Washington, D.C.Nov: 1967. 5 pages. (ERIC # ED 015 744,MF40.25, HC-$0.28.)

"Research Needs in Vocational-TechnicalEducation." E. Wayne Courtney. Stout State'University, Menomonie, Wis. April 1966. 53pages. (VT 005 190, for ERIC # see futureResearch in Education.)

"Research in Vocational Education." Fred-erick Bertolaet. Research Training Institute,Denver, Colo. December 7, 1966. 16 pages.(ERIC # ED 017 658, MF-$0.25, HC-$0.72.)

TOPIC TWO: Seminar's and Institutes on Research

"North Atlantic Regional Research Con.ference in Agricultural gducation, Confer-ence Proceedings, Ithaca, Nov. 5-7 1963."State University of New York., Ithaca, N.Y.1963. 50 pages. (ERIC # 'ED 017 619,MF-$0.25, HC-$2.08.)

TOPIC THREE: Other Studies

"A Bibliography of Published and Unpub-lished Vocational and Technical EducationLiterature." Corplan Associates, Chicago, Ill.Illinois Research and DeveloPment Coordinat-ing Unit. June 1966. 225 pages. (ERIC #ED 018 531, MF.$1.00, HC-$908.)

"Improving Research in Business Educa-tion. Delta Pi Epsilon Monograph 105." PaulS. Lomax and W. Harmon Wilson. 1962. 27

pages. (ERIC # ED 016 857, MF-$0.25,HC-$1.161)

"Repori Nov. 1968." J. Kenneth Little andGerald G. Somers. Center for Studies inVocational & Technical Education, Universi-ty of Wisconson, Madison. Nov. 1968. 100pages. (For availability, see future Researchin Education.)

"Annual Report, November 1967." J. Ken-neth Little and Gerald G. Somers. Center forStudies in Vocational & Technical Educa-tion, University of Wisconson, Madison. Nov.1967. 57 pages. (ERIC # ED 017 684,MF-$0.25, HC-$2.36.)

"Study of Agriculturally Related Occupa-tions in Selected Counties of Idaho." RobertW. Richmond, Idaho Occupational ResearchCoordinating .Unit. October 1967, 69 pages.(ERIC # ED 016 825, MF-$1.50, HC7$2.84.)

"Health Occupations Education: Abstractsof Iowa Researet, 1960-1968.2 Thomas' F.Tibbitts, Iowa Research Coordinating Unit,Des Moines, Iowa. 1968. 41 pages. (VT 007154, for ERIC # see March 1969 Research inEducation.)

"Concepts, Strategies, and Priorities forResearch in 7,ducational Manpower: A Sym-posium on Educational Manpower. FinalReport." National Education Association,Washington, D.C. June 1967. 71 pages.(ERIC # ED 013 778, MF-$0.50, HC-$2.92.)

"A Study to Determine the EducationalInterests of Adults in Sioux City, Iowa, WhoDid Not Complete High School." (Ed.D.thesis) Cox, Robert P. South Dakota Univer-sity, Vermilion. Aug. 1965. Available fromUniversity Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Mich.Order No. 66-1876. Microfilm $3.00, Xerogra-phy $8.80. 197 pages.

"Research Studies With Implications forAdult Education, Mountain-Plains Region,1945-1%6." Burrichter, Arthur, Jensen,Glenn. Wyoming University, Department ofAdult Education and Instructional ServiCes.March 1967. 84 pages. (ERIC # ED 012413. MC-$0.50, HC-$3.36.)

"Research and Investigations in AdultEducation." ERIC Clearinghouse on AdultEducation, Syracuse, N.Y. Summer 1967(ERIC # ED 012 877, MF-$0.50, HC42.64.)66 pages.

"Aerospace Bibliography. Fourth Edition."National Aeronautics and Space Administra-tion, Washington, D.C. Jan. 1968. 64 pages.For sale . by the Superintendent ofDocuments, U.S. Government PrintingOffice, Washington, D.C. 20402. Price: 40cents.

"Fact Book: Office of Education Pro-grams." Office of Administration, Office ofEducation, U.S. Department of Health, Edu-cation, and Welfare, Washington, D.C. June1968. 100 pages. For sale by the Superintend-ent of Documents, U.S. Government Print-ing Office, Washington, D.C. 20202. Price:$1.00.

0 "Manpower Education in a GrowingEconomy." Robert L. Darcy and Philip E.Powell. Ohio University, Athens. Aug. 1968.70 pages. Inquiries about copies should beaddressed to: Manpower Education, Divisionof Research, Copeland Hall, College of Busi-ness Administration, Ohio University,Athens, Ohio 45701.

"Research Projects 1968." The SwedishCouncil for Personnel Administration. 46pages. Available from Research Department,PA-Council, Box 5157, 102 44 Stockholm 5,Sweden.

"The ILO and Youth." International La-bour Organization. 1968. Available free ofcharge from International Labour Office,Washington Branch Office, 917-15th St.,N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.

"Labour and Automation: Bulletin No. 7;Manpower Adjustment Programmes:. Cana-da, Italy, Japan." 1968. Available from Inter-national Labour Office, Washington BranchOffice, 917-15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.20005. Price: $2.00.

DOCUMENT SOURCESThe material reported on in Research

Visibility may be obtained from severalsource's. The source of each publication isindicated in each entry. The key to theabbreviations used there and instructions forobtaining the publications are as follows:

CFSTk-Clearinghouse for Federal Scientificand' Technical Information, Springfield, Vir-ginia 22151. Copies of reports with thissymbol may be purchased for $3 each (pa-per) or 65 cents (microfiche). Send remit-tance with order directly to the Clearing-house and specify the accession number (ADor PB plus a 6.digit number) given in thelisting.

ERIC-Educational Resources InformationCenter, EDRS, c/o NCR Co., 4936 FairmontAve., Bethesda, Maryland 20014. Copies arepriced according to the number of pages.

.The MF price in the listing is for microfi-che; the HC prke is for paper copies. Sendremittance with order directly to ERIC-EDRS and specify the accession number(ED plus a 6digit number) given in thelisting. How to Use ERIC, a recent brochureprepared by the Office of Education, isavailable from the Superintendent ofDocuments, Government Pririting Office,Washington, D. C. 20402; thc catalog num-ber is FS 5.212.12037; price: 20 cents.

GPO-Government Printing Office. Send or-ders directly to Superintendent of Docu-ments, U.S. Government Printing Office,Washington, D. C. 20402, with remittancefor specified amount.

MA-Manpo'wer Administration. Single cop-ies free upon request to U.S. Department ofLabor, Manpower Administration, AssociateManpower Adminigrator, W. "igton, D. C.20210

OTHER SOURCES-Where indated thepublication may be obtained directly from.the publisher at the listed price.

52 AMERICAN VOCATIONAL JOURNAL