This guide offers a comprehensive handbook to scientific research methodology and experimental design, specifically for novice MA and PhD researchers in Education and Language Learning (TESOL/TEFL). It establishes scientific research as a systematic, objective inquiry focused on identifying cause-and-effect relationships through empirical data.…

Widely regarded as the standard reference in the field, this comprehensive handbook presents state-of-the-art knowledge about the nature and classification of learning disabilities (LD), their causes, and how individuals with these difficulties can be identified and helped to succeed. Best practices are described for supporting student performance…

The field manual for a series of coordinated studies of the spontaneous acquisition of a second language by adult immigrant workers provides a theoretical and practical framework for the entire project and a source of information about it for other researchers. Chapters 1 and 2 describe the project's objectives and organization. Chapter 3 reviews…

This module providing an introduction to research procedures is one of a set of five on evaluation and research and is part of a larger series of thirty-four modules constituting a core curriculum for use in the professional preparation of vocational educators in the areas of agricultural, business, home economics, and industrial education.…

Notes the drawbacks of the artificial separation of content and method in most undergraduate, sociology department, course offerings. Reports on the development and operation of a local research center as a means of melding content and method. (JDH)

Describes how the lost letter technique, a research ploy involving leaving stamped, addressed letters in public locations and seeing if people will mail them, may be used to introduce students to experimental method in sociological research. Students manipulated letter location, size, and address in order to judge different effects such variations…

Argues that a position should be taken on which future research initiatives on learning and instruction will be most worthy if grounded in general systems theory and multiple research methods are employed. Presents an application of general systems theory to research on learning and instruction, including a system of research methods and…

The proceedings of the 1979 Lifelong Learning Research Conference held at the University of Maryland are reported in this document. Focusing upon non-formal adult education, the papers presented deal with environmental/leisure education issues, adult/continuing education concerns, community development, international education, volunteerism, and…

This document addresses issues raised during the Research on Teaching Mathematics Conference, examining them in view of the central tenets of the Institute for Research on Teaching at Michigan State University. It explains why teacher judgment is the focus of IRT research and discusses the concept of "the wisdom of the practitioner,"…

Designed for coordinators of student volunteer programs (experiential learning through community service), this manual provides information on some of the basic research approaches and tools which can be used to analyze a program's activities and effectiveness. The major areas discussed include the following: the reasons for and resources…

This report describes the conceptual background, design, and methodology for a study of management of academic tasks in junior high school. Previous research suggests that tasks students accomplish in classrooms determine what they actually learn, and acquisition of higher cognitive skills related to interpretation and planning is essential for…

Ten modules which present specific instructions for conducting a task survey are provided in this manual for vocational educators, supervisors, and directors. Each module contains a short descriptive paragraph of the contents of each module, a performance objective, readings, exercise activities, and feedback for those activities. The modules are…

One of 15 core modules in a 22-module series designed to train vocational education curriculum specialists (VECS), this guide is intended for use by both instructor and student in a variety of education environments, including independent study, team teaching, seminars, and workshops, as well as in more conventional classroom settings. The guide…

The field tested instructional package introduces the student to industrial research and development. Defining behavioral objectives, the course description includes a media section, suggested classroom activities, and student evaluation materials, as well as the basic information section. Included is a working definition of research and…

Adapting sociolinguistic fieldwork techniques for use in teaching a second language is presented as an activity that gets students out of the classroom and into the speech community to observe and use language in real situations. It is intended for intermediate and advanced students who need motivation and encouragement to interact with native…