This paper acknowledges that research on school dropouts presents problems in the definitions and computation of dropout indices. It considers a variety of methods for computing dropout rates, using dropout rates which are real and which were available at the end of the 1986-1987 school year. Fall enrollment, average daily membership, and total…

The paradox of the diffusion of innovations research is that in its efforts to find ways and means of breaking the communication constraint in Third World countries, it has generated many bottlenecks that cumulatively constitute the major constraint: lack of an efficient system for delivering adequate and reliable information, knowledge, and…

Various actual experiences are illustrated which relate to the problem of making feedback useful, and certain methods and techniques are offered as possible ways of handling the communication problem. (CK)

The recurrence of problems in connection with research and development (R and D) activities supported by the Audio-Visual Center of Indiana University led to the development of a proposed control system. This paper lists those problems and examines the assumptions which must be met by the control system--that the Center will support all types of R…

Notes that the important issues in current bilingual education in the United States are of two major sorts. One of these is concerned with the operation of existing bilingual programs, and includes problems of adequate teaching staff and proper integration of programs. The other deals with the perceived aims and purposes of bilingual education…

In discussing the problems of evaluating Canadian bilingual immersion programs, six related aspects are separately considered: (1) the research design, (2) the students tested, (3) the nature of the tests used, (4) the methods of analysis employed, and (5) the interpretation of findings. (Author/SJL)

Discusses basic weaknesses and limitations of models, simulations, gaming, and other analytical and behavioral approaches to simplifying reality for understanding. The development and use of scenarios and the model builder's basic conceptions of the aspects of reality being analyzed are described for a one-person, computer-interactive, quasi-rigid…

The author discusses educational achievement tests and vocational interest blanks, focusing on the subject of sex bias and its elimination. (RP)

An examination of debilitating conflicts among researchers, reformers, and practitioners and the ethnics with which they deal in the school decentralization/community control arena. (Author)

Considers three issues related to the conduct of research into reading problems of the elderly: (1) the lack of federal funding of literacy research concerning the elderly, (2) differences between conducting research with school-aged populations and with the elderly, and (3) problems encountered in testing elderly individuals. (GT)

There are many opportunities for research on how self-assessment affects behavior, especially external and internal mobility. Problems often occur in choice of ability dimensions and selection context. A firm theoretical base is necessary. (JAC)

Reviews issues of reliability (especially test-retest reliability) in newborn assessment, discusses predictive models based on newborn assessment, and presents information on modifications of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale which may help in pursuing fruitful questions involving prediction of development. (Author/BH)

Dichotomizes literature on nonoffending mothers of sexually abused children into opinion-based and research-based studies. Argues that most information on nonoffending mothers is opinion based, not research based, and the literature disregards the sources of data. It appears that opinions have been accorded the same validity as research findings.…

Describes two research projects linking family processes with elementary school children's competence in school to provide examples of methodological issues related to investigations that cross systems of family and school. Issues discussed include gaining cooperation from school, recruitment and consent procedures, data collection and measurement…

Learning styles advocates claim long-term improvements in four aspects of teaching and learning: curriculum design, instructional methods, assessment, and student guidance. The application of learning style theory encompasses three pervasive problems: confusion in definitions, weakness in measurement reliability and validity, and identification of…