A framework for understanding methodological practices from the perspectives of internal validity, external validity, statistical control validity, and construct validity is presented. One hundred doctoral dissertations completed between 1980 and 1988 at a single urban public university were analyzed for various methodological practices and types…

Many times in both educational and social science research it is impossible to collect data that is complete. When administering a survey, for example, people may answer some questions and not others. This missing data causes a problem for researchers using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques for data analyses. Because SEM and…

This study attempted to examine selected features of principal-teacher behavior in relation to the educational environment of elementary schools. Subtests of Halpin's Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire were used to obtain teacher perceptions of the principal variables of Aloofness, Production, Emphasis, Thrust, and Consideration; and…

Discusses attribution theory and its effect on teachers' attitudes toward students and describes a study of 155 elementary teachers in Costa Rica that investigated the consequences of the teachers attributing student performance to low ability and to insufficient effort. Cultural values that may affect the outcomes are also discussed. (28…

This study reported the contribution of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) employed in traditional and individualized classrooms to cognitive and personal growth of third-grade disadvantaged children. Results showed that CAI facilitated the acquisition of mathematics skills, alleviated mathematics anxiety, and reduced external locus of control.…

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to disclose the psycho-semantics of the opinions held by school educators in Lithuania on the expression of democracy in education management. Methodology: A non-standardized questionnaire asked teachers the open-ended question: "Are there any manifestations of democracy in your school? If yes (or…

A study undertaken in Western Australia, the Western Australian School Effectiveness Study, explored the characteristics of effective high schools by investigating factors influencing science and mathematics achievement. A multilevel analytical model was used in the longitudinal study that focused on 1,024 students in 21 rural and urban high…

Measured 231 African American students' attitudes toward school-year completion, social support for completing the academic year, and their perceptions of personal control over school completion. Examined influence of self-esteem and racial self-esteem on academic goals. Found that theory of planned behavior predicted intentions to complete school…

Discussion of the display of instructional text and text format elements focuses on a study of fourth graders that was conducted to test the effects of plain and enhanced screen designs on learning and time during computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Implications for screen design and future research are suggested. (31 references) (LRW)

Describes study of college students that was designed to test the hypotheses that females would differ from males on four aspects of computer-related attitudes: (1) interest/enjoyment; (2) comfort and confidence; (3) computers as a male domain; and (4) social impact of computers. Some strategies for improving female students' attitudes toward…

Describes study that investigated the effects of learner control and program control on the achievement and continuing motivation of high school students. The influence of the availability of computer-delivered instruction on student motivation was also examined, results are analyzed, and further research needs are suggested. (37 references)…

Investigates the relationship between sexual orientation and perceptions of self, ideal male, and ideal female using the Androgyny scale of the Bem Sex Role Inventory with 144 college students. Findings include the fact that homosexuals were less likely than heterosexuals to stereotype their perceptions. (FMW)

Reported is a two-part study to identify factors that contribute to student success in a remedial mathematics course for first-year college students. Data from 263 students testing into remedial algebra was collected on 3 academic variables, 2 affective variables, and class attendance. Multivariate analysis results failed to find moderate…

Reports racial/ethnic differences in the use of licit and illicit drugs by high school seniors in the United States. Finds relatively low levels of drug use by most non-White youth, especially Black Americans and Asian Americans. Such subgroup differences are not primarily attributable to family or regional influences. (AF)

Examines the effects of cooperative and individualistic computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs on cognitive and affective variables in Israeli grade six mathematics classes. Analyses of the data indicate that students who used CAI for drill and practice in pairs performed better than students who used the same program individually. (30…