Outlines the recent transition, within educational research, from conflict to cooperation between quantitative and qualitative approaches. Asserts that compatibility is based on a confusion between method as technique and method as logic of justification. Argues that the claim of compatibility cannot be sustained and blocks an interesting and…

Existing data on illegal immigration in the U.S. is inadequate. The limited availability of macrodata on the size of the annual flows and of the accumulated stock of individuals as well as of microdata on their influence on selected labor markets has been used to forestall policy reform efforts. (Author/RDN)

Discusses problems in analyzing change in nonexperimental data. Tests three ordinary least-squares regression models to illustrate similarities/differences. Notes that model based on raw difference change scores applies best to studying change processes; model based on outcome scores applies best to assessing consequences of change; and model…

To guide the unbiased process of visual inference, a four-step model is presented for the assessment of reliability, intervention effect, meaningfulness, and generalizability. A Visual Inference Checklist (VIC) systematizes this assessment process. (Author)

Demonstrates that magnitude-of-effects (ME) estimates vary in susceptibility to sample-size bias depending on whether they are directional or nondirectional estimates. Also demonstrates that study characteristics that influence size of ME estimates can be explicitly taken into account when comparing studies. Emphasizes need to consider study…

ANOVA designs are used for description and/or explanation of developmental phenomena. These consist of taking any two of age, cohort, or time of measurement as independent variables. Employment of ANOVA has led researchers down blind alleys. Regression techniques are more useful. (Author)

School context constrains and supports field researchers' data collection activities, just as it can influence the educational change processes being studied. For outsiders, the accessibility of a school is affected by a number of factors. These influence findings and have implications for achieving data comparability across several sites.…

Statewide assessment data available from two school years, two grade levels, and five sources (achievement tests; student, principal, and teacher questionnaires; and principal interviews), were aggregated to more closely investigate the relationship between student/school characteristics and student achievement. To organize this large number of…

Title I Evaluation models using uniform procedures and data collection for state and national comparisons are interpreted as federal endorsement of basic, common competencies in reading and mathematics. Basic competencies, content homogeneity, conversion methodology, and validity of the evaluation are discussed. (MH)