Three perspectives on combining quantitative and qualitative methods in one evaluation are reviewed: mutually exclusive; separate but equal; and integrated. Ways to corroborate, elaborate, or initiate findings from the other method are illustrated, using a large-scale, three-year evaluation of regional educational service agencies. (Author/GDC)

Using qualitative and quantitative methods in a single research project has been the subject of controversy. Purists argue that qualitative and quantitative approaches derive from different, mutually exclusive epistemologic and ontologic assumptions, and cannot be combined. Situationalists focus on methodology and assume that data collection and…

Because of their proximity to local districts and state and local funding, regional educational service agencies (RESA's) and their staffs of linking or change agents are key tools in communicating new knowledge for educational improvement. This paper explores factors promoting knowledge sharing by distinguishing among knowledge bases (research,…

Focusing on the promotion of reform and knowledge use in school districts, this paper reports on data from a study investigating assistance and enforcement strategies adopted by three types of regional educational service agencies. Assistance in this context means provision of legal or program knowledge needed to operate successful programs.…