The dominant approach to research in learning disabilities utilizes experimental and quasi-experimental designs to identify the most effective instructional strategies for students with learning disabilities. Research is always undertaken from a point of view, yet the discourse on "what works?" is generally silent on how theoretical frameworks…

The selection of subjects for research on learning disabilities is a function of contemporary notions about learning disabilities, the purpose of the study and level of knowledge about the topic, and practical constraints. Denigrations of the extant research database, along with unaffordable demands for subject selection and descriptions, threaten…

Summarizes the responses of six authors to questions on educational research intervention with students having learning disabilities. Notes agreement among the contributors to the discussion that terminology is an issue and that careful selection and description of subject groups is a critical component of intervention research. Identifies twelve…

Research articles published in 10 major journals during the years 1984-1987 were evaluated to determine how many satisfied the recommendations of the Council for Learning Disabilities' Research Committee on reporting subject data. Only 4 of the 277 articles included acceptable information in 7 recommended areas of subject data. (Author/JDD)

Synthesizes information from a 1995 international symposium on longitudinal research in learning disabilities. Discussion of generic considerations of longitudinal research is followed by examination of issues specific to learning disabilities including definition, attrition, composition of research teams, ethical concerns, data collection, and…

This introduction to a special issue, focused on research into educational intervention for children and adults with learning disabilities, describes activities of a special committee of the Learning Disabilities Association that included soliciting the views of scholars concerning terminology, ethical issues, research design, and barriers to…

Presents the author's views concerning the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Considers ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change. Discusses the barriers to conducting intervention studies and methods for dissemination of the research findings. (DB)

This paper discusses the problem of vague and inconsistent descriptions of individuals with learning disabilities in research reports, presents guidelines for the description of participants in small and large sample research studies, and makes suggestions for promoting compliance with the minimum standards. (Author/JDD)

Presents the author's views on the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Discusses the meaning of the terms intervention, remediation, tutoring, and accommodations; addresses optimal characteristics of intervention research; and examines ethical issues, research design, measurement of change, and barriers to conducting…

Presents the author's views concerning the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Examines distinctions between intervention, remediation, tutoring, and accommodations. Examines the differences from regular classroom instruction along with the optimal characteristics of intervention research. Discusses ethical issues,…

Presents the author's views on the questions posed by the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Discusses the influence of two primary concepts, change and interaction, on children's development in terms of educational intervention. Also considers ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change. (DB)

Presents the author's views on the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities through a discussion of distinctions between intervention, remediation, tutoring, and accommodations; optimal characteristics of intervention research; ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change; and barriers to conducting intervention…

A review of 208 studies of children with learning disabilities (LD) published in 10 major journals between 1988 and 1990 examined the extent to which recommendations concerning research design and reporting made in 1980 and 1984 have been implemented. The review found continuing problems, including imprecise subject descriptions, heterogeneous…

Two methodological problems often arising in dyslexia research are considered. The first problem concerns the validity of experimental measures and the related problem of interpreting null results. The second problem involves the effects of sampling from a disabled population if the disorder under investigation has multiple unknown origins.…

Colleagues in the field of mental health have made considerable progress developing inventories of evidence-based practice; however, the field of special education for children with emotional or behavioral disorders has only recently begun to do so. This paper provides some personal reflections on four major issues for consideration as we pursue…