Provides a set of guidelines for evaluating research using structural equation modeling (SEM). Offers insight into how someone familiar with SEM would judge the adequacy of a study using such methods. (Author/RH)

The author discusses some of the problems in measuring the incidence and employer costs of benefits. Problems discussed include (1) benefit plan flexibility, (2) integration of related benefits, (3) cost control, (4) contingent pay systems, (5) emerging benefits, and (6) differing measurement approaches. (CH)

Responds to Fogel's (1988) concerns about the validity and preferred uses of scaled monadic phases and introduces a note of caution about prematurely concluding that stochastic organization alone is of significance to development. (RH)

Discusses research methodology in general, and suggests ways of identifying what is and is not known in the field of reading. Points out that reading research has not yet investigated how adults and children read nonschool materials in nonschool settings. (ARH)

Highlights contributions sociologists can make to major social issues through an emphasis on theoretical ideas and analysis in graduate education. Concludes that recognition of the relationship between theoretical ideas and research procedures is necessary for greater sociological contributions. (Author/DH)

Based on the work of William Stephenson, the "Q methodology," formulated in 1935, is compared to classic oral history in a case study of urban renewal. Results showed the methods to be complementary, both providing the same general description of citizen reaction to the project. (JDH)

Describes a sampling strategy which involves linked pairs of persons used to obtain bereaved respondents for a study examining loss and coping responses following a recent natural disaster. The sampling procedure appeared not to produce an obvious bias and was very beneficial in meeting the research objectives. (Author/NRB)

Argues that defining "progress" is fundamental to understanding how effective educational research is in improving practice. Discusses the problem of partial specification and its consequences for defining the research-practice relationship. Presents three different, but complementary, approaches to defining "progress":…

Considers ethical issues that arise in conduct of family therapy research, emphasizing (1) researcher's responsibility to protect rights of research participants, (2) confidentiality and informed consent, (3) researcher's values, and (4) methodology. In each area, parallels are drawn between ethical issues facing family clinicians and those facing…

Compared two types of empirical study with two types of conceptual research on the validity of the Rorschach. Argues that the Rorschach does have some validity and that poor research is at least partly culpable for the Rorschach's perceived failure. (Author/BL)

A recent article by Nicholls on achievement motivation is criticized on three points: (1) definitions of achievement motives are ambiguous; (2) behavioral consequences predicted do not follow from explicit theoretical assumptions; and (3) Nicholls's account of the relation between his theory and other achievement theories is factually incorrect.…

The author replies to criticism of his interpretation of achievement motivation. A distinction between goals of demonstrating and developing ability cannot be made in task involvement. Attempts to extend the author's theory by adding this distinction suffer from a failure to predict when these different goals will predominate. (Author/LMO)

Presents friendly advice to potential authors and researchers on basic conceptual and operational mistakes commonly made in the most recent 100 manuscripts reviewed by the author. (MS)

Unnecessary polarization between research traditions (basic vs. applied, experimental vs. correlational, and laboratory vs. field research) has resulted in extreme, nonproductive conflict between experimental rigor and policy relevance. The analogue model (described) grounds experimental studies in social problems without losing the unique…

Critiques James Sanders' argument that differences in teacher behavior do not significantly affect student achievement levels. Finds empirical research inevitably inadequate for contributing to knowledge of cause and effect in the classroom. Suggests that teacher education helps develop conceptual finesse to enable teachers to make their own…