Discusses three criteria by which to measure the importance of adult education research questions. These criteria are practical application, contribution to understanding, and universality. The author argues that the criteria must not be identified with a particular kind of research or "importance" comparisons between quantitative and…

Critiquing the McFaul and Cooper article, the author cites poor research design and implementation as the reason for negative research findings on clinical supervision. Seven concepts of clinical supervision are outlined. (MD)

The authors respond to an earlier article by S. Stainback and W. Stainback which suggested the need for more qualitative research in special education. The response centers on the need for better research in the field. The Stainbacks reply, questioning the underlying rationales denigrating qualitative research. (CL)

The authors demonstrate how exponential smoothing can play a role in the identification of the intervention component of an interrupted time-series design model that is analogous to the role that the sample autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation functions serve in the identification of the noise portion of such a model. (Author/BW)

Analyzes the results of research on the uses of and attitudes toward output analysis in U.S. postsecondary institutions, focusing on attempts to use the method to improve the college. Presents theoretical considerations, identifies six factors related to the use of output data, and reviews studies concerning output analysis. (DMM)

Considerations for evaluating single subject research in special education include the social validation of treatment goals and effects, the clarity and completeness of treatment descriptions, the generality of treatment results, and component analyses of treatment packages. (Author/CL)

Investigates the models of Man postulated by the major contemporary schools of psychology by constructing measures specially designed to elicit the relationships postulated by such schools. (Author/RK)

Mathematical proof is one of the most difficult topics for students to learn. Several empirical studies revealed different kinds of students' problems in this area. Our own research suggests that students' views on proofs and their abilities in proving are significantly influenced by their specific mathematics classrooms. However, the reasons for…

The paper examines the nature of qualitative empirical studies published in the AHRD proceedings from 1999-2003 and discusses findings on research purpose, research question(s), and inquiry literature cited. (Contains 4 tables.)

Perspective Text Analysis is a way to measure competence by measuring the strategy of synthesizing, which intelligence tests or questionnaires cannot measure. This paper proposes the use of Perspective Text Analysis in the study of instructional materials. Perspective Text Analysis has been applied in various learning environments, and the results…

This paper describes the design of a major development and research project within the Teaching and Learning Research Programme in the United Kingdom. It outlines the project's aims to enhance teaching and learning in schools through innovative practice at classroom and school level and through networking. It describes the assumptions and…

One of the goals of the Strategies and Models for Improved Learning through Effective Data Use (SMILE) project was to develop a data-capacity survey (DCS) to measure a schools capacity to use data. In this study, a DCS was developed and field tested. The DCS, which was field tested at six Milwaukee Public Schools (Wisconsin), was a pen-and-paper…

Urban districts around the United States are attempting systemic change by offering schools a "menu" of externally developed school reform designs. Yet, how do faculties who are relatively unfamiliar with the designs choose among them? This question is addressed by analyzing qualitative data collected in the Memphis City Schools…

A general model is derived for the purpose of efficiently allocating integral numbers of units in multi-level designs given prespecified power levels. The derivation of the model is based on a constrained optimization problem that maximizes a general form of a ratio of expected mean squares subject to a budget constraint. This model provides more…

This is one the fourth in a series of reports that examine key issues related to family and community connections with schools. These research syntheses are intended to help local school, community, and family leaders obtain useful information derived from rigorous research. In addition to presenting findings from recent research, the synthesis…