In wake of federal legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 that have called for "scientifically based research in education," this study examined the possible trends in mixed methods research articles published in 2 peer-reviewed mathematics education journals (n = 87) from 2002 to 2006. The study also illustrates how…

Teacher perceptions of school-based behavior assessments were assessed over the course of a school year. Specifically, the utility and relevance of Direct Behavior Ratings-Single Item Scales, a hybrid direct observation method, relative to two school-based behavioral rating scales, the Social Skills Improvement System-Performance Screening Guide…

Regular evaluation of archival reference services is essential to ensure that users have appropriate access to the information they need. Archives New Zealand has been measuring customer satisfaction for many years using self-completion questionnaires but recently trialed two new methods of evaluation, using external research companies. One…

This paper describes one phase of an investigation into the possible existence of gender interactions in one-to-one instrumental music lessons. In order to provide a preliminary sketch-map of a hitherto unexplored field, the mixed methods research design used a combination of three strands: (1) questionnaires to teachers and pupils; (2)…

The current literature indicates a need for quality studies on how best to close the achievement gap between elementary English language learners (ELLs) and their English speaking peers. The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods research study was to determine the relationship between standards-based differentiated instructional…

Experiments offer more reliable evidence on causation than observational studies, which is not to gainsay the contribution to knowledge from observation. Experiments should be analyzed as experiments, not as observational studies. A simple comparison of rates might be just the right tool, with little value added by "sophisticated" models. This…

In investigating communication competencies needed by beginning automotive mechanics, an attempt was made to compare the effectiveness of three occupational analysis techniques: (1) developing a curriculum (DACUM), (2) observation, and (3) extended information search. Extended information search produced a comprehensive, valid list of competencies…

A MODIFIED CRITICAL INCIDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FORM FOR HOURLY MACHINING PERSONNEL WAS DEVELOPED, AND CERTAIN RATER AND RATING INSTRUMENT CHARACTERISTICS WERE INVESTIGATED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THEIR EFFECTS ON THE VARIANCE OF PERFORMANCE. INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH FRONTLINE FOREMEN TO COLLECT PERFORMANCE SPECIMENS WHICH WERE EVALUATED…

The anthropological field study approach is said to provide a means of breaking through the present conceptual framework that purports to understand complex phenomena by breaking them up into separate variables. (AM)

A PILOT PROJECT FOR TEACHING OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS WAS CONDUCTED, USING FOUR PLANS OF OBSERVATION--DIRECT CLASSROOM OBSERVATION ("DO") ONLY, VIDEOTAPE TELEVIEWING ("TV") ONLY, "DO" FOLLOWED BY "TV," AND "TV" FOLLOWED BY "DO." COLLEGE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A TEACHER EDUCATION COURSE WERE…

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of computer-based simulation versus observation in a laboratory nursery school. Results indicate students in the computer-based simulation were better able to observe and record descriptions of child behavior in the video tape sequence after training than students in the control group who received…

A phenomenological approach to library research utilizing qualitative research methods is contrasted to a positivist-behaviorist approach utilizing quantitative methods. Psychological understanding of a situation attained by means of accurate description, and subjectivity and associated intentionality are presented as part of the phenomenological…

The purpose of this study was to compare the behavior of family members at home as recorded by audio tape recordings in two conditions--with an observer present or absent. Behavioral differences were expected as a function of differential reactivity to these observational procedures. The results revealed no behavioral differences between…

IN TWO EXPERIMENTS, FEEDBACK WAS CONCEPTUALIZED AS A CYBERNETIC PARADIGM INVOLVING STUDENT-PROFESSOR INTERACTION, AND WAS USED VIA VIDEO TAPE TO IMPROVE TEACHING OF A FIVE MINUTE LESSON BY STUDENT TEACHERS. IN EXPERIMENT I, FOR THE 24 STUDENTS EQUALLY DIVIDED INTO FEEDBACK AND NO FEEDBACK GROUPS, NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES APPEARED IN 29…

Reports differences in results for two use studies conducted in a science and engineering library, one using a reshelving methodology, the other requiring users to self-report material use. Differences are reported in terms of high-use periodicals, overall materials use, and use of the entire journal collection. (13 references) (KRN)