Identifies two theoretical frameworks for adoption research: stress and coping literature and life-span developmental psychology. Recognizes that placing adoption within these larger study areas encourages differentiated, conditional questions such as when does adoption have which types of impacts for which types of individuals. (DLH)

Presents a chart of basic research methods, including: (1) five psychological data construction procedures; (2) four research design principles; (3) three measurement requirements; and (4) three statistical requirements. (SLD)

Describes the discipline of epidemiology and the application of epidemiologic methods to the study of children's language disorders. Epidemiology is described as the study of the distributions and determinants of disease, disorders, disabilities, and desirable health events in populations. Common epidemiologic research designs are discussed.…

Discusses some practical issues in linking educational assessments, focusing on the importance of clarity of purpose when assessments are linked. Also stresses the importance of the design used to collect data for linking. Uses linking studies from a variety of situations to illustrate these points. (SLD)

Reviews research on the quality of data from the various components of the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) to identify gaps in knowledge and establish priorities for future research. Also provides information about the survey design and data collection procedures. This information should help users determine how much confidence to place in…

Explains how schools and students are selected for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and why high participation rates are important. Describes the multistage sampling method, which allows the National Center for Education Statistics to give an accurate picture of student performance while keeping the burden on schools and…

Discusses the design and analysis of Monte Carlo experiments, with special reference to structural equation modeling. Outlines three fundamental challenges of Monte Carlo approaches and suggests some alternative procedures that challenge conventional wisdom. Asserts that comprehensive Monte Carlo studies can be done with a personal computer if the…

Developed an exploratory schema gathering three types of variables defining quality of socioprofessional integration and three other variables that are likely to predict the socioprofessional integration of new workers. Tested the schema with 97 recent graduates of higher education programs. Findings show that all the schema's variables except age…

Makes the case that faith in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine "what works" in education may be misplaced. Identifies eight possible problems with relying on RCTs and notes that the rigor required for RCTs may not be practicable. (SLD)

Based on key word counts from summaries in the ERIC database and article analysis of the 1975, 1985, and 1995 volumes of Research in Science Education, certain trends appear in the style of research in science education. Trends include the move from brief, controlled, laboratory-style experiments to lengthy observations and descriptions of…

Addresses the use of subjective judgment in research that involves statistical/quantitative methods with regard to four aspects of quantitative research: (1) design; (2) preliminary analyses; (3) general analyses; and (4) specific analyses. (Contains 37 references.) (ASK)

Examined the effect of complex sampling of items on the measurement of differential item functioning (DIF) using the Mantel-Haenszel procedure through a Monte Carlo study. Suggests the superiority of the pooled booklet method when items are selected for examinees according to a balanced incomplete block design. Discusses implications for other DIF…

With the increased popularity of qualitative research, researchers in counseling psychology are expanding their methodologies to include mixed methods designs. These designs involve the collection, analysis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative data in a single or multiphase study. This article presents an overview of mixed methods…

Community is widely acknowledged as a fundamental aspect of social work practice, and this formulation distinguishes social work from other professions. Because of this long-standing tradition, social work needs to make a greater investment in producing scientific knowledge to enable community change and to incorporate community context into…

Hornworms are good assay organisms for leaf toxins, and can be raised on an artificial medium ("chow"), consisting of corn meal, soy flour, dry milk, yeast and other additives and preservatives. The hornworm assay is less useful in ecological and toxicological research, but is very useful in learning about experimental design and hypothesis…