Observational data were collected over a period of 120 school days from 11 elementary-level, self-contained, learning disabilities classrooms (N=105), using the Student Level Observation of Beginning Reading system. Findings indicate that reliable and unbiased observations of student behavior were obtained through the use of a single observer.…

The use of social skills measures as a component of multifactored assessment in making mainstreamed placement decisions is recommended. It is suggested that social skills information may be more important in making a decision to mainstream than IQ or achievement. (Author)

Using selected concepts, format, and techniques from the legal arena, the Judicial Evaluation Model was used to assess the efficacy of linkage arrangements between the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act prime sponsors and education service providers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (PN)

The observational method particularly recommended for educators who collect data in rural settings is the participant-as-observer identity. Participant observation entails total commitment of the investigator to participate as intimately as possible in the experiences of those being studied. (CM)

Familiarizes educators and researchers with a method to develop curriculum according to the individual cognitive styles of individual students. (Author)

A program of teacher education that emphasizes learning classroom observation skills and conversational skills from an experienced teacher is described. (JD)

Employing their own version of the scientific method, educational researchers skirt the observation of the phenomenon under investigation and proceed directly to its quantification. The lack of impressive results suggests that an alternate research paradigm, the observation of human behavior in natural settings, is often advisable. (Author)

Abikoff, Gittelman-Klein, and Klein validated a behavioral observation system for use with hyperactive children. Authors selected a used coding system, trained observers to monitor classroom behavior of hyperactive children, and evaluated reliability, stability, and criterion-related validity of the system. Methodology was reviewed. Suggestions…

Two normal and two mentally retarded children were trained to earn pennies by pressing a key according to a multiple variable-interval extinction schedule of reinforcement. Retarded children differed from normal children by producing more positive than negative discriminative stimuli. (Author/DB)

Examined observer error in attitude attribution. Subjects appeared to have invested essays, written under assignment, with diagnostic value on the presumption of a correlation between the strength of the essay and the writer's attitude. Suggests that attribution error is based on the inclination to adopt a diagnostic judgmental set. (Author)

One hundred and fifty-six children between the ages of 18 and 76 months were observed three times for 10 minutes each during free play in an attempt to describe the helping behavior of preschool children. (Author/RH)

Provides a description of writing instruction in the classrooms of eight elementary school teachers that was developed through the procedure of progressive coding. Calls into question some common assumptions about writing instruction and the present institutional ways of supporting it. (HOD)

The effects of cooperative versus individualistic learning experience were compared on interethnic interaction among fourth-grade students. Results indicated that cooperative learning experiences promote more cross-ethnic interaction in both instructional and free-time activities. (Author/GK)

To test the general reliability and validity of the Triangulation Interview Form (TIF), 52 observers viewed a videotape simulation of an interview situation. Agreement among observers for each of 16 TIF questions ranged from 85 to 98 percent. Observers significantly discriminated between eight behaviors judged complete and eight behaviors judged…

A synthesis is presented of the work of Lindblom and Cohen, MacDonald and Walker, and the current authors. The synthesis considers issues in the usefulness of social science theory and research, and how observer roles in qualitative field studies yield multiple kinds of usable knowledge to a variety of audiences. (Author/BW)