Problems associated with the use of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) as a statistical control technique are explained. Three problems relate to the use of "OVA" methods (analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of covariance) in general. These are: (1) the wasting of information when…

In discussions about qualitative research, questions often arise concerning appropriate research focus, researcher objectivity, manipulation of people or environments examined, study completeness, and value considerations. Goodness questions (reliability, replicability, and validity) get mixed with value questions (generalizability), with…

This review of the role of the metaphor in instruction begins with a brief description of historical thinking on the subject. Modern views of the metaphor as a psychological mechanism rather than just a figure of speech are then presented, with emphasis on reasons why metaphors should be helpful in education. It is noted that the hypothesis that…

The study compared proposal and award data on investigators from predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs) with that of non-PUI institutions, called "research competitive universities" (RCUs). A total of 21,040 research proposals from academic institutions, which were competitively reviewed and decided in Fiscal Year 1988 by the…

The central failure of conventional, or positivistic inquiry has been the inability to handle deception in research and the violation of societal ethics, moral and legal caused by such deception. Moral dimensions include tests for whether the research would be approved by reasonable persons, whether it might pass the test of publicity, and whether…

Egon G. Guba and Yvonna S. Lincoln were among the first to develop a set of extensive criteria for establishing naturalistic inquiry as a disciplined research methodology. The naturalistic paradigm--also called post-positivist, ethnographic, phenomenological, and qualitative--has gained acceptance as a legitimate alternative to the previously…

This report presents a brief review of the results of seven years of work by the Field Studies Project of Research for Better Schools. The project's two major objectives were to study improvement processes in schools and to study the organization, roles, and functions of, and interrelationships among, agencies that support school improvement. The…

Most agree, in general, that educational research benefits American schools. However, the specific relationship between research and application remain poorly cultivated, and too little educational research is actually utilized by classroom teachers. This paper selectively reviews the intricate association between educational researchers and…

Rural schools, which comprise 67% of the nation's school systems, experience distinct educational environments and have unique strengths and weaknesses. Quality research to assess the effectiveness of rural education has been hampered by inconsistently applied definitions of "rural" and inadequate data to compare rural and urban…

Begun in June 1984, the national study utilized questionnaires from 461 rural education researchers and practitioners to provide the first empirical data for prioritization of rural education research needs. Since conducting and supporting rural education research are clearly federal functions, the study was prepared for dissemination to federal…

Although a concern with population issues has gone out of fashion, the problems underlying that concern have not disappeared. Solving these problems would be facilitated by increased knowledge produced by scientists working directly on population issues. A study was conducted to explore patterns and correlates of research productivity of members…

Considerations of validity that are central to all disciplines in the social sciences are discussed, and concepts that are an essential part of the intellectual equipment of the social sciences researcher are systematically analyzed. Fundamental methodological concepts underlying decisions made in the research process are highlighted to encourage…

Despite the scope and accessibility of the current knowledge base in teaching, teachers rarely refer to research findings as a primary information source to guide their practice. If teacher education is to survive the onslaught of politically inspired alternative certification routes now operating in 20 states, it is critical that teacher…

The interview process in qualitative research is discussed, based on the experiences of the two participants in a series of life-story interviews. The interviews were held during a pilot study for a doctoral project, and this account of the process is presented from the dual perspectives of the researcher-interviewer and of the interviewee,…

There are three valuable types of computer software needed by the professional researcher--word processing, spreadsheet, and database management. In general, these packages are required for the effective operation of offices; however, researchers may have special needs which can only be met with more specialized software. Recently, word processing…