Family Science Review
Research Articles
Gerald R. Adams
ABSTRACT: Constructive criticism of a published manuscript in Family science Review, Vol 2, pp. 249-266, has suggested possible inaccuracy in the reported data. An examination of these data revealed counting errors that have been corrected through a reconstruction of the data. Corrected tables are presented in this report along with an examination of the limitations in using the archival technique for the study of historical data in the documentation of departmental and faculty eminence in family science.
William H. Meredith
ABSTRACT: The preceding article, ‘A Study of Departmental and Faculty Eminence in Family Science Reconsidered” by Gerald R. Adams is an attempt to correct errors found in an earlier version of his paper (Adams, Huston, Braeger, & Goff, 1989). This study attempts to evaluate departments objectively by determining first and second authorship based on frequency of authored publications listed in Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). Authored publications, one indicator of eminence, included the number of book reviews, books in print, and journal articles. A second indicator (a measure of quality) was the number of times an author’s article was cited by others. Adams’ study, therefore, was an attempt to examine both quantity and quality of publications, and from that to rank the most productive and influential faculty in 30 family science departments. Previous studies have considered only articles with a family focus. The current article includes child development.
Gerald R. Adams
ABSTRACT: Professor Meredith and his associates have made important contributions to the study of the history of family science. Meredith’s published reports, along with those by Burr and associates, provide important information in an accumulating sociology of knowledge regarding family science. In Meredith’s work on the study of family science, measurement of productivity has been focused on specific journal publications. This work, by nature, is exclusionary and based on a personal preference for a given series of publication outlets. The technique recognizes publications without an estimate of impact. In Burr and associate’s work, reputational data are obtained using an available, non-random sample. This technique is limited by subjective measurement and the sampling strategy employed. In contrast, the use of Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) provides a researcher with a much broader (but likewise not fully representative) journal source that offers the potential for examining productivity (frequency) and impact (citation history). I will not labor further on such advantages, given our methodology is detailed in both the original and revised manuscripts that are published in Family Science Review (FSR). However, one’s choice of methodology should be based on interests, objectives, and methodological focus.
Karen S. Wampler
ABSTRACT: Research on the Couple Communication Program (CC) is summarized. This review is an update of earlier reviews by the author. Results of recent CC studies are consistent with earlier research which indicate that CC is effective in producing both short-term and long-term improvements in relationships satisfaction as well as short-term changes in communication behaviors. Difficulties in conducting outcome research and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Hyunsook Chung
ABSTRACT: Research on the marital relationship has been one of the most frequently studied areas of investigation in the family field. Yet, there have been many problems with the theory and empirical work in this area. This article is a critical review of this work, including both theoretical and empirical problems that typically have occurred with the previous research. Also included is a section on suggested modifications for future research in this area.
Harriet Watkins Giles & Jacquelyn Mize
ABSTRACT: Professional internships are hypothesized to benefit students by easing the transition from school to work setting through promoting vocational crystallization, lessening the reality shock associated with work-force entry, and affording greater employment opportunities. In recent years, many family and child development programs have incorporated a professional internship into the curriculum. This paper describes one such internship program and presents results of a survey of its graduates. Alumni ratings of internship adequacy were significantly correlated with overall satisfaction with training in the department, and alumni who affiliated themselves with the family and child profession rated the quality of their internships higher than alumni who did not associate themselves with the profession. Directions for future research are based on theoretical and empirical work regarding the value of internships for student development.
