Researching writing-related dispositions is of critical concern for understanding writing transfer and writing development. However, as a field we need better tools and methods for identifying, tracking, and analyzing dispositions. This article describes a failed attempt to code for five key dispositions (attribution, self-efficacy, persistence,…

Engagement is one of the most widely misused and overgeneralized constructs found in the educational, learning, instructional, and psychological sciences. The articles in this special issue represent a wide range of traditions and highlight several key conceptual, theoretical, methodological, and analytical issues related to defining and measuring…

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of conducting ethnographic research. Methodology definition and key characteristics are given. The stages of the research process are described including preparation, data gathering and recording, and analysis. Important issues such as reliability and validity are also discussed.

The first step in aggregating qualitative data is to establish parameters for cross site analysis. Establishing parameters should include: (1) building a conceptual framework, (2) defining units of analysis, (3) developing core questions, and (4) establishing guidelines for handling unique features in each site. Two basic approaches to analyzing…

The state of research on intelligence is reviewed in an editorial. The author notes conceptual, measurement, and data analysis problems. Suggestions as to how research on intelligence can be improved are provided. (RD)

This article is based on a series of reviews on the supply of, and demand for, social science documents and data in the United Kingdom. Findings indicate that social scientists in the United Kingdom make relatively little use of library tools and information services. (Author/DB)

Reviews data related to the relationship between religious background and educational attainment for males and females during the second half of the twentieth century. Data indicate that the net influence of religious background on educational attainment has never been very large. (Author/DB)

Identifies shortcomings of single equation models of educational achievement, including that they have omitted relevant variables. Considers three models of educational achievement--one using cross-sectional data; one using pre- and post measures of achievement; and one using more complete panel data. (Author/DB)

This paper is devoted to an analysis of the "Standards for Evaluation of Educational Programs, Projects, and Materials" as they apply to qualitative data. The most difficult ethical problem arises from the conflict between the right to privacy of research subjects and the right to know of audiences. There are two technical points in the…

Introduces the "person approach" to the study of adolescence, and discusses the consequences of the approach for theoretical thinking and research methodology. Reviews major types of pattern-based methods used for carrying out a person approach and discusses methodological challenges for adolescent research, including interindividual…

A reanalysis of research reported in the "Journal of Industrial Teacher Education" demonstrates a tendency among researchers to base interpretations of data entirely on the results of tests for statistically significant differences. The appraisal suggests that several of the published findings should be reviewed using additional data…

Characterizes the United States "Social Indicators" reports and considers how they differ from those produced by other nations. Explains how data in the reports can be used by social science researchers, policymakers, and social reporters and predicts how such data might be used in the future. (DB)

Research is reviewed on the interaction patterns of individuals using augmentative and alternative communication systems. Major findings and limitations of interaction studies are highlighted, focusing on methodological approaches, subjects, partners, contexts and sampling procedures, and measures and data analyses. Directions for future research…

Technological advances in microcomputer hardware and software, including size of memory and increasingly more sophisticated statistical application packages, create a new era in educational research. The alternative to costly main-frame computer data processing and statistical analysis is explored in this paper. In the first section, typical…

All secondary school assistant principals in Massachusetts were surveyed to assess the relationships between their backgrounds, training, and values and their concepts of, preparedness for, and processes for dealing with conflict situations. Data were collected through questionnaires and through the completion by the 122 survey respondents of the…