This special issue's editors invited discussion of three broad questions. Slightly rephrased, they are: How well do self-report data represent theoretical constructs? How should analyses of data be conditioned by properties of self report data? In what ways do interpretations of self-report data shape interpretations of a study's findings? To…

This commentary discusses the articles that comprise this special issue on attachment in middle childhood. Central to this discussion is the distinction between verbal, strategic, and conscious responses to questionnaires as compared to verbal and nonverbal, automatic and largely unconscious responses to interviews. Both methods have been…

Reviews of the state of biology fieldwork in UK schools and universities at the beginning of the twenty-first century (Barker, Slingsby, and Tilling 2002; Smith 2004) were not entirely pessimistic; rather they suggested ways forward that might lead to an increase in fieldwork. Whether their hopes have been realised has, perhaps, been revealed by…

"Approach to studying" research focuses on the "manner" (deep, surface, etc.) in which studying is grasped. This is the Husserlian "noesis", the mental orientation, to studying. In this article, it is argued that attention must also be given to the subjective meaning of studying and of what is studied--the Husserlian "noema". However, the…

This article presents an interview with Montessorians, namely Judi Bauerlein, Jack Blessington, Dr. John Chattin-McNichols, Dr. Betsy Coe, Amy Henderson, Dr. Michele Monson, Anna P. Perry, and Bretta Weiss Wolff. In an interview, these Montessorians discuss their personal Montessori journeys and their insights on Montessori as a movement over the…

Presents a rationale for graduate students' use of semistructured interviews to enhance the interpretation of data derived from questionnaire returns. The writer experienced deeper understanding of the data and intense satisfaction with results when using this technique in a research project involving new teachers. Includes eight references. (MLH)

The adoption of a more "open" national training market in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia has led to considerable changes in VET organizations and considerable challenges for VET managers. Recent research has established the critical role that 'strategy' plays in leading and managing these organizations and the…

Globalisation has extended the competition between nation-states to that between metropolises of the same or different nations. Many studies have shown how nation-states respond to the challenge of globalisation by reconfiguring their citizenship education curriculum into a multileveled framework comprising personal, social, local, national and…

Describes a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Approach for the selection of personal computers that combines the capabilities of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Integer Goal Programing. An example of how decision makers can use this approach to determine what kind of personal computers and how many of each type to purchase is given. (nine…

Provides survey questions designed to be used to gather information required in library decision-making process for selection of automated circulation system. User library profile, system profile, hardware and software profiles, interactive workload, service, staff support requirements, educational support, bibliographic/item database, patron…

Describes an approach to teaching the student research paper that improves the quality of arguments and prose. Reviews specific steps to writing and researching the research paper, which include free writing on a topic of interest, formulating a research question, interviewing and surveying, initial drafting of an argument, and (only after these…

Discusses the results of a study of college students in the United Kingdom that was conducted to identify experiences perceived as stressful by students, to assess their frequency, and to ascertain whether students considered that their learning had been affected as a result of the experience. (Author/LRW)

Teacher effectiveness is an issue that has received increased attention in recent years, as researchers have become aware of limitations in models that see the school as the key arena for improving pupil learning outcomes. This renewed interest makes it timely to look again at the methods used in teacher effectiveness research. This article…

Data were gathered by circulating questionnaires to each state archive, making site visits to representative archives, and holding discussions with key state archives and preservation leaders. The 2-year study concludes that no state archive currently approaches the goal of providing total preservation care for its holdings. Comprehensive and…

Discussion of educational software evaluation highlights an evaluation based on program instrumentation of a medical school simulation program. Evaluation strategies are discussed; evaluation techniques, including interviews, questionnaires, and observation are described; and implications of the results of the program instrumentation for the…