A mentor teacher, student teacher, and university educator collaboratively examined factors that guided student teacher actions, analyzing data from conferences, interviews, and dialog journals. Results indicated benefits of supporting sustained mentor/student teacher conversations, engaging in action research for mentors and student teachers, and…

A researcher and four elementary teachers conducted collaborative action research to explore, implement, and document practitioner initiated change. The article highlights the political nature of action research linked with reform, noting that peers and principals can silence teachers' voices. Collaborative action research groups may provide…

Reports on a study to examine the hidden processes underlying the underrepresentation of women and minority ethnic groups in the academic profession. Identifies the importance of subject communities and their implicit values and assumptions. Illustrates the importance of judgments of academic merit at the very earliest stages of careers for racial…

Presents an interview between a researcher and a teacher who was the subject of two studies. Discusses the teacher's impressions of each study, the researchers, and what was learned from each experience. Describes problems with research methods and interpersonal factors. Concludes that participating in research is a valuable experience for…

Describes the team selection process and the organization of the mathematics component of the Environmental Studies Academic Pentathlon. The mathematics component consisted of environmental research, research methodology, and statistics. Groups submitted papers on seven environmental issues, and individuals designed and reported research studies…

In the mid-1980s, data were collected on international science achievement as part of the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Science Study. The seven articles of this collection report on various facets of the practical skills testing of this study in which six countries participated. (SLD)

Examines how differences between history and sociology present challenges to teaching and practice utilizing an interdisciplinary approach. Observes historians emphasize development of literary writing skills whereas sociologists could benefit from greater attention to the role of writing. Advocates continuing efforts for interdisciplinary…

Some unresolved methodological and philosophical issues in the assessment of performance trends are discussed as they relate to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). How to measure performance change while remaining responsive to advances in curriculum and the technology of assessment is a central dilemma. (SLD)

Examines participation in secondary school courses and programs of selected minority groups in Canada. This pilot study of 2,308 secondary school students illustrates methods and software that make fine-grained analysis of group participation possible. Methodological issues are explored. (SLD)

Tests applicability of dialogical research methods (psychosocial methods of P. Freire) to the investigation of three groups of six to eight Chicano college students. Vignettes incorporating isolation, achievement, or ethnic identity are used to initiate dialogs. Experiences of ethnicity and education from these dialogs can help improve academic…

Discusses the use of quantitative collection development and use studies as research tools to evaluate the quality of children's library collections. Four studies, conducted in school and public libraries, that involve analyzing data with statistical tests are reviewed to show how data already being collected can be developed into research…

Describes the continuing development of a bibliographic instruction (BI) course at Carleton College for a sociology/anthropology research methods course that focuses on statistical sources. Goals and objectives of the course are explained, and various methods of teaching search strategies are described, including overhead transparencies, handouts,…

Introduces the articles in this issue of "Educational Researcher," and discusses their collective focus on the need to enrich the research perspective on bilingual education. Argues for the importance of basic research, case studies, and taking the reality of practice and ideology into account. (JB)

Explores the development of a multicultural literacy project designed to develop literacy both in English and the students' individual native languages. The intervention fostered collaborative relationships among researchers, teachers, parents, and students. (37 references) (Author/CK)

A procedure is presented for examining the influence of instruction on responses to test items by extending item response theory to incorporate variables illustrating different amounts of opportunity to learn. Data from the Second International Mathematics Study (grade 8 scores for about 7,000 students) illustrate the discussion. (SLD)