This investigation examines the efficacy of multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) over fixed-effects models when performing intersectional studies. The research questions are as follows: (1) What are typical strata representation rates and outcomes on physics research-based assessments? (2) To what…

Parallel to the increasing level of maturity of the field of research on higher education, an increasing number of scholarly works aims at synthesising and presenting overviews of the field. We identify three important pitfalls these previous studies struggle with, i.e. a limited scope, a lack of a content-related analysis, and/or a lack of an…

This paper addresses the wicked problem of measuring the productivity of learning and teaching in higher education. We show how fundamental validity issues and difficulties identified in educational productivity research point to the need for a qualitatively different framework when considering the entire question. We describe the work that needs…

My research problem is based on the lack of unifying conceptual cohesion between the discourses concerning cognitive and instructional aspects of learning environments (LE). I contrast that lack with practical developments of LE studies connected at the level of practical implementation and evaluation. Next, I briefly review the LE boundaries,…

This commentary reflects on the contributions to learning analytics and theory by a paper that describes how multiple theoretical frameworks were woven together to inform the creation of a new, automated discourse analysis tool. The commentary highlights the contributions of the original paper, provides some alternative approaches, and touches on…

Describes several "inaccurate" statements made in L. Thomas' and T. Levine's article in this journal (volume 21, page 103) regarding the current author's research and positions on the listening construct. Suggests that Thomas' and Levine's model has serious methodological flaws. (RS)

Presents comments about R. Bostrom's article in this journal. Suggests that Bostrom missed the point of Thomas' and Levine's original article. (RS)

Purpose: The use of e-learning is largely predicated upon the assumption that it can facilitate improvements in student learning and therefore can be more effective than conventional techniques. This assumption has been supported by some in the literature but has been questioned by a continuing body of contrary or indifferent evidence. The purpose…

Presents the state of research in chemical education. Reviews the origins of chemical constructivism, behaviorism, and relativism. Discusses the differences between objectivism, realism, and positivism. Suggests remedies for chemical education research to become better acquainted with the philosophical position. (KHR)

Johnes and Johnes demonstrate use of data-envelopment analysis to construct an efficiency frontier comparing different UK university economics departments' efficiency without having to assign uniform weights to inputs and outputs. Since desirability of departmental goals cannot be compared, DEA's usefulness is limited to comparing relative…

Maintains that progress in understanding reading is impeded when researchers working from different perspectives adopt the assumption of paradigm incompatibility. Argues that this assumption is false, and that progress toward a comprehensive understanding of the reading process would be hastened if investigators from all perspectives agreed to a…

This rejoinder to K. K. Fung's critique of the authors' data-envelopment analysis (DEA) article argues that eliminating inefficiency by competition requires perfect information, not just freedom of entry and exit. DEA provides the necessary information, but is not intended as a mechanism to replace peer review. (MLH)

A three-day research development seminar planning a comprehensive research program on the deanship in educational administration featured papers and responses to the papers delineating the domains of inquiry. The topics of the papers and responses summarized (1) suggest a framework for analyzing the growth and development of a field of…

This position paper briefly highlights the more pervasive research and applications problems in science education and suggests a possible way to organize ideas so that psychological paradigms will have educational value. (CS)

Examines some problems and difficulties encountered in international comparative research programs in mass communications: comparability of units of analysis; lack of consensus manifested in dichotomization into "conventional" and "critical" approaches; and suitability of exported models, theories, concepts, and methods to Third World conditions.…