Typically, applied social research is of much lower quality than one would like to see in light of its importance in social policy formation. It is conducted by social scientists who are not yet rewarded by high standing, and the end results are often irrelevant to the ongoing policy formation process. (Author/CTM)

Reviews research in Britain and the United States on intervention with deprived preschool children and describes programs introduced in monitoring the problems of working with the staffs of six London (England) day nurseries. Particular difficulties in the project approach and implications for action research as a method are discussed. (MF)

Proposes that art teachers become more informed about current research on art teaching and assume responsibility for initiating research on classroom teaching. States that teachers may (1) act as research subjects, (2) put research into practice, and (3) act as researchers. Discusses general considerations or conditions under which research can…

Points out that traditional report cards contain messages about the nature of reading and writing that need to be reexamined. Describes the process that a group of reading clinicians went through to develop a meaning-centered checklist to evaluate the reading and writing of elementary school children. (ARH)

Describes an action research project, "Girls into Science and Technology" (GIST), which focuses on girls' subject choices in the first three years in their secondary schools in the north of England. Summarizes the initiatives taken by the GIST team and reviews research findings and project outcome. (ML)

Discusses ways to get teachers involved in the process of evaluating and changing their methods of instruction--using the example of teaching content material through round robin reading and discussion. (FL)

A collaborative action research project studied how teachers in groups function at different developmental stages. Implications for staff development are described. (DF)

A project of Leeds University is designed to fill the demand for liberal adult education courses that are not vocationally oriented or qualification based. The project has developed courses for the retired, for women, and for the unemployed. (SK)

This study explores ways of helping fifth grade students edit their work appropriately for their grade level. The use of Daily Oral Language, grammar worksheets, or the reliance on the teacher to edit were eliminated. Instead, more direction for students was provided through the use of checklists, peer editing, and word processing on a computer.…

Action research is, quite often, the method of enquiry employed by undergraduate and postgraduate students in higher education who are studying for accredited courses. In recent years, students studying for taught doctorate (EdD) degrees with their focus on practical aspects of education are also adopting action research as a method of study. This…

It's true that students gain more from learning experiences when they're encouraged to plan their activities, share their knowledge with one another, and tailor material to their own needs. So why not create a professional development program that gives teachers the same range of options? This book provides the framework and steps to help…

This action research study was designed to raise environmental awareness and improve the social responsibility and actions of students in Grades 2 and 3 at Montecito Elementary in Burnaby. Implemented was a strategy pairing environmental education lessons with artwork projects, to engage the students and improve their awareness of aquatic…

The third research study in a series of qualitative studies examines the functions and practices of local professional development committees in Ohio. This descriptive study interviewed key informants from five Local Professional Development Committees (LPDCs) regarding their processes and practices. Resultant data indicated that several districts…

This study describes a program for improving student's reading skills. The targeted population consisted of students in a self-contained inclusion fourth grade classroom in a rural community, located in the Midwest. The lack of reading skills had been demonstrated through standardized achievement tests and the Developmental Reading Assessment.…

This report describes research on current assessment procedures affecting educational instruction. The targeted population consisted of third and fifth grade students, teachers, administrators, local school board members, and parents from one highly populated metropolitan public elementary school and a small suburban public elementary school near…