In finding an accurate method of describing school administrators' behavior patterns, draws on script theory from cognitive psychology and speech act theory from sociolinguistics to supplement the structured observation approach. (JW)

The current research on the "characteristics of effective schools" suffers from a lack of any sound theoretical foundation. In order to establish such a foundation, researchers used the methodology of clinical analysis to determine the goals, purposes, and beliefs underlying the overt behavior patterns found in the effective school…

The author discusses the substantive and methodological contributions which several disciplines can make to naturalistic research in the field of special education and raises definitional issues. (Author)

Describes a simple, confidentiality-preserving, data-collection technique the Context-Determined, Rule-Generated, Pseudonym (CDRGP) Technique, capable of generating correlational data across multiple time-points. Experiments showed that students would respond to alcohol consumption questions using the technique and that no significant response…

This paper reviews the literature on positive and negative aspects of diagnostic classification of children, or labeling. It reviews the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which mandated that special education must be available to all children with disabilities. Definitional issues in diagnostic labeling of students with learning…

This paper discusses developments in special education classroom observational assessment. Conceptual advances include increased focus on assessment with practical value for teaching and benefits gained from merging classroom instructional factors with behavior. Methodological advances include development of ecobehavioral observation protocols and…

A study involving 1,146 families with children between 3 and 17 years old was conducted to assess the extent and cause of violence and aggression on children by their parents. Research regarding incidence, modes, and patterns of child abuse was reviewed and problems with various methods of data collection were examined. A household interview…