Discussion of conceptual and methodological aspects of reading intervention research focuses on nine specific design limitations of previous intervention research; ways to measure and analyze change as a function of development, treatment intervention and ecological influences; assumptions of individual growth models; and advantages, conditions,…

Solving the school dropout problem requires accurate data about the actual rates and counts for all student groups residing in the community. This article discusses ways to improve demographic accounting accuracy. Reporting only dropout rates diverts attention from dropout counts and increases the likelihood of making incorrect demographic…

Reviews elements of research that need to be monitored by funding agencies and/or organizations carrying out research, and examines the problems and possibilities of research into the impact of research. Presents a case study of a project that focused on three strands of research undertaken at the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom). (Author)

The identification and acceptance of discipline-specific research problems and subsequent related theory is not a random process dependent only on the interests of individual theorists. Discusses the nature of agenda building--background and definitions and agenda building processes; and application of principles in instructional…

Focuses on applications of a widely cited empirical study in the communication field--A. Mehrabian and S. Ferris' 1967 study that inferred that communication is 7% verbal, 38% vocal, and 55% facial. Notes that these applications overlook important limitations which do not warrant formulation of a precise numerical formula. Discusses lessons…

Uses three specific studies to analyze methods of data collection from children, including participant observation, focus groups, interviews, and structured activities. Points out the effective and ineffective aspects of each method, and deals with methodological issues such as parental consent, access to children, privacy, and confidentiality.…

Assesses the effectiveness of the Team Management Index and raises questions about measurement techniques. Argues that data collection can never provide complete proof of a link between interventions and organizational change. Suggests that evaluators study a team's change process. (SK)

Continues the discussion about the Third International Mathematics and Science Study results. American eighth-grade students are on a par with science students in New Zealand, China, Iceland, and Bulgaria. Meanwhile, one researcher found that all of the top six countries in TIMSS math had centralized curricula. None relies heavily on tests. (MLH)

Wilson discusses ways in which educational research is rendered ineffective, stemming from distortion of the concepts of "education" and "research." Includes three commentaries: Harry Brighouse discusses factors impeding research, John White contests the definition of education, and Marian Sainsbury argues that educational…

Discusses the need for changes in education and considers possible reasons why information technology has not brought about desired changes. Highlights include assimilating new technologies into existing instructional practices; technocentric knowledge, which focuses on the computer rather than knowledge; and misguided research. (LRW)

Provides a synthesis and a critique of Kulik and Kulik's metasynthesis and Slavin's best-evidence syntheses regarding ability grouping for gifted students. Although both studies address important issues, concerns such as teacher and parent attitudes to grouping and use of gifted students as role models are ignored. Includes 22 references. (MLH)

This paper expresses support for the resolution of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps to prohibit aversion-based procedures. In response to Horner and others (EC 232 976), the paper agrees on the values expressed but disagrees on the science reported. (DB)

Debate continues as to whether exercise training accelerates the growth of coronary collateral vessels. Animal research has produced positive results, but human studies have been disappointing, largely because of problems in experimental design and methodology. (IAH)

Provides update on what is currently known about neurobehavioral correlates of infection with human immunodeficiency virus-Type 1 (HIV-1), causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Discusses methodological and theoretical issues complicating interpretation of existing data and suggests strategies for future research in this area. (NB)

Maintains that progress in understanding reading is impeded when researchers working from different perspectives adopt the assumption of paradigm incompatibility. Argues that this assumption is false, and that progress toward a comprehensive understanding of the reading process would be hastened if investigators from all perspectives agreed to a…