Research methodologies are "word-specific," that is, they assume frames of reference which do not include all of reality. They are like the "sets" in mathematics in which axioms apply only within certain realities. (Parallel lines do converge, for example, on the horizon; the geometric postulate that says they do not holds only for the set of a…

Community data concerning drug and alcohol usage patterns was assessed via a unique "personal delivery" system. The system, which can be used for collecting other community data produced a return rate of 45% and was very economical. This system largely overcomes the main drawback of the mailed questionnaire (low return rate) by (1) having…

The relationship between the values of society as reflected by the education system is considered with particular emphasis upon the difficulty faced by educators when social values are confused and ambiguous. It is pointed out that the primary task for schools is to produce literate citizens, able to read, write, manipulate symbols, and develop…

Perhaps due to misunderstandings of the nature of the research task in visual communication, findings of empirical research in that field have been highly inconsistent. Historically, there has been little serious systematic empirical investigation of visual communication. One difficulty is that it is not always possible to measure nonverbal…

Meta-analysis techniques for integrating research findings are utilized in this report to determine the magnitude of the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and academic achievement. Also investigated are the factors which contribute to the large amount of variance in previously reported correlations between these two variables. Over…

Research has identified a number of effective means of maximizing returns to mailed questionnaires. The accompanying cover letter, the first contact with the potential respondents, may be the most important aspect of the survey. Studies indicate that the most effective cover letters incorporate personalization with an altruistic and/or egoistic…

Three methodological improvements were incorporated into a two-channel study that tested the relationships between communication cues, dynamic/conversational delivery styles, and four dimensions of source credibility--dynamism, competence, evaluation, and trustworthiness. The methodological improvements included a molar rather than molecular…

In a study that examined the conditions that were likely to facilitate error detection, it was hypothesized that poor readers' comprehension monitoring abilities would improve if they were given assistance in selecting the appropriate schema for understanding a passage. When the hypothesis was tested with 20 sixth grade students in an error…

The randomized response technique, constructed by Warner (1965), was designed to reduce the number of untruthful responses to sensitive questionnaire items. The present study investigated the effectiveness of this technique for groups differing in the tendency to give socially desirable responses to questionnaire items. A questionnaire concerning…

This monograph is part of a series of reports focusing on women's studies in higher education. After summarizing the historical growth of continuing education for women and women's studies, this monograph describes the implementation of a study by the U.S. National Institute of Education on re-entry women and the field of women's studies.…

This paper discusses the problems and benefits of conducting research in a small institution. Problems related to personnel, finances, expertise, and credibility, and advantages such as communication and cooperation are described. The University of Lethbridge has created a common data-gathering system, QAULTEP (Qualitative Analysis of the…

THE MANY ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE RECENT EMPHASIS UPON IMPROVING EDUCATION SHOULD CONCERN THE MAJOR PROBLEMS, RESEARCH TOPICS, AND PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED THROUGH A SUGGESTED SYSTEM OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BOOKKEEPING IN WHICH RESULTS ARE REVIEWED BY APPROPRIATE STAFF AND RESOURCE PERSONNEL FROM BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES.…

SOME COMMON FLAWS IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH DESIGN WERE ANALYZED ON THE BASIS OF A STUDY BY DR. GERALD SMITH OF 1,091 UNSUCCESSFUL RESEARCH PROPOSALS. THE FOLLOWING INADEQUACIES ARE DISCUSSED-- (1) THE LACK OF SPECIFICITY IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN, (2) THE NON-DELIMITED PROBLEM, (3) THE LACK OF THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FROM WHICH TO…

A 1964 SUMMER CONFERENCE WAS HELD TO INFORM PROJECT DIRECTORS OF INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH CENTERS ABOUT INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS IN FIRST-GRADE READING INSTRUCTION. IT WAS DESIGNED TO PRODUCE AWARENESS OF THE PROJECTS, TO GAIN AGREEMENT AND UNIFORMITY IN RESEARCH EFFORTS, TO APPRAISE RESEARCH DESIGNS, AND TO EXPLORE FURTHER PARTICIPATION IN…

A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY WAS CONDUCTED (1) TO NARROW AND BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EXISTING RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN SCHOOL PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION AND (2) TO IDENTIFY NEEDED RESEARCH. THE 6-DAY SEMINAR, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN NOVEMBER 1964 FOR 30 PARTICIPANTS SERVED AS THE VEHICLE FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE OBJECTIVES. FIVE MAJOR AREAS OF…