Discusses the use of a research design that addresses diversity issues in higher education. Offers that this retrospective pretest approach will be useful to university campuses in their efforts to evaluate their diversity initiatives. (MKA)

Discusses motivations for research replications and makes recommendations for appropriate research strategies. Illustrates research strategies in a review of studies replicating a 1948 study by Soviet psychologist Z.M. Istomina on preschoolers' memory. Concludes that none of the studies closely replicated Istomina's methods, but some replicated…

Presents a general class of single-case statistical procedures derived from previously developed nonparametric randomization tests. Designs are illustrated that focus on the general and comparative effectiveness of alternative interventions, multiple units with differentiable characteristics, and multiple outcome measures. Provides operational…

Advocates using a reasoned argument to approach the research-conceptualization process, wherein the different aspects of any study logically relate to each other. Discusses common aspects of the four research components that are often ignored and thus result in discrepancies across the components. (Author/GCP)

Presents sample research designs for the investigation of questions concerning resilience. Describes hypotheses from specific research designs in the form of odds ratios. (Author)

Presents a framework to describe typical constraints that program evaluators face. The framework encompasses the usual evaluation costs and other factors that impede data collection or the implementation of strong evaluation designs. These are characterized as internal/substantive or external/political. (SLD)

Several recent studies are identified that used expert ratings of the job performance of certified professionals as a validation criterion. These studies showed a strong relationship between expert ratings and certification, but were susceptible to alternative interpretations due to design constraints. Inclusion of control constructs is presented…

Examines the original Hawthorne relay-assembly research. Asserts the "Hawthorne misunderstanding" is common in criminology and criminal justice because authors have failed to properly attribute the explanation of increased work output to the Hawthorne effect. Describes the Hawthorne effect, how it is produced, and ways to achieve the…

Basic information on the research process is offered to college health professionals in four articles titled: "An Introduction to the Research Process,""Designing the Study,""Representative Designs and Their Challenges," and "Analyzing and Communicating Results." Covered are the literature review, hypothesis development, sampling, measurement…

Suggests that the growing demand for educational research to be more relevant and increasing concerns about the generalizability and utility of research findings are related to the concept of "socially responsible research." Identifies problems with educational technology research. Outlines major types of educational technology research…

Describes the design and methodology of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study First Follow-up, including overall outcomes of data collection and evaluations of the quality of data collected. (SLD)

Examined publication and citation data to assess the contribution of Australian educational research to major international journals and assessed the relevance of educational research to teaching practice and educational policy. Australia makes a significant contribution to international educational research, and Australian educational research is…

Presents a case study of a pilot test of usability testing with farm instructions for applying pesticides. Discusses adapting usability testing to the field setting; selecting a topic, usability testing sight, and participants; developing the usability scenario and securing institutional review board approval; conducting usability testing in the…

Examines the problem of attrition from therapeutic treatment programs, discussing the scope and limitations of research about the causes of subject attrition. Examines the applicability of proposed methodological remedies for assessing and countering attrition. Such research often suffers from inadequate conceptualization and weak design. (SLD)

Presents the personal opinions of four educators on the question of whether educational research is worthwhile. (YDS)