An intelligent system for experimental design-some ideas

There is a growing movement towards the construction of statistical expert systems by statisticians to assist incertain aspects of their work. As one of the most'abused’ areas, experimental design could benefit from a system ofthis type. This paperoutlines some ideas on how a system for intelligently constructing designs could be built.     

Setting Up a Rural Private Practice*

This irreverent, somewhat breezy paper describes the experience of the author in establishing a private practice in an unusual setting and offers some observations for others. Editor.     

Preparing parents for children with special needs: A three-part approach

This paper describes a community-based educative-small group method for working with prospective foster and adoptive parents. As an educational approach, the program prepares applicants to be substitute parents. The small group process method provides the applicants with an atmosphere conducive to discussing fears and frustrations while gaining peer and professional support. Community-centeredness not only allows the agency to recruit much-needed minority parents, but to make a contribution to the community in the form of prevention of problems through availability and education. Evaluation of the program demonstrates that the combined communitybased, small group approach is an effective and efficient method for “screening-in” foster and adoptive parents for children with special needs.     

Current drug education policies in NCAA institutions: perceptions of head athletic trainers

This study compared the perceptions of head athletic trainers (HATS) from NCAA member Divisions I, II, and III regarding current athletic department drug education policies in their institutions. A Web-based questionnaire collected responses from 353 HATS. Drug education programs focused more on providing information about the negative consequences of drugs than changing the attitudes and behaviors of students in relation to drug use. More Division I and II schools offered comprehensive ATOD education programs to their athletes compared to Division III schools; however, the majority of these programs were not scheduled on a regular basis. HATS in all divisions reported that the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by student athletes during and after athletic and social events was a significant concern and indicated the importance of scheduling drug education programs closer to such events. Majority of HATS did not view participating in the drug education programs as part of their professional duties; however, they expressed an interest to increase their involvement in these activities.     

Treatment of School Refusal by Strategic-Based Family Therapy

An ‘ideal type’ of the family of the school refuser is described. Two basic principles of strategic family therapy are discussed: the therapeutic bind and the therapeutic triangle. Three stages in the family treatment of severe school refusal, utilising these principles, are distinguished.