Article defines qualitative research and describes the form that an article based on qualitative research might take. Encourages readers to submit articles based on qualitative research to the American Educational Research Journal. (RB)

The research needs in special education are so great that a range of scientific inquiry (including technical and naturalistic ethnographic research) is needed to better understand how to meet those needs through acquired technical, communicative, and self-reflective knowledge. While effective, neither technical nor naturalistic ethnographic…

A response to a previous article discounting the effectiveness and contributions of the natural science model in special education research points out flaws in the article's premises and rationale and emphasizes the need for pluralism in research methodology, including correlational, ethnographic, group-contrast, historiographic, qualitative, and…

Naturalistic inquiry is an alternative to traditional assessment and experimental methodologies for measuring the effects of early intervention programs with young handicapped children. Discussion focuses on (1) the inductive nature of the naturalistic method; (2) potential strengths and weaknesses; (3) procedures for data collection. (Author/JW)

This book provides guidance for using nature journaling as a way to explore nature. Nature journaling involves the recording of observations, perceptions, and feelings regarding the natural world. This book targets all ages and develops a broad understanding of nature. Contents include: (1) "Discovering Nature Journaling"; (2)…

This study examined the substance, researched the history, tracked the growth, and documented the expression of the feminine voice. Patriarchy, as a critical, formative construct, is viewed from historical, religious, and societal perspectives. The emergence and growth of the Feminist era was also considered as a source of support to feminine…

Forms of cooperation and sharing between infants and their parents were recorded in a play setting. Eight children at each age (12 months, 18 months, and 24 months) were observed. (Author/SS)

Discusses Hugh Mehan's "Learning Lessons" in the development of the naturalistic study of classroom discourse studies and considers the emergence of an alternative program for classroom discourse studies in critical discourse analysis. Critiques some studies of classroom discourse and analyzes a fourth-grade lesson on fractions to show how the…

Provides an analysis of America based on the travel accounts of several foreign visitors and diplomats over the course of U.S. history. Viewpoints are expressed that reveal an America with many contradictions and a dark side. (GLR)

Considers the current relevance of the practice of observation of children through an exploration of the role of observation in the work of Friedrich Froebel, Susan Isaacs, and Margaret McMillan. (BC)

Verbally describing places visited on a wilderness expedition in great detail, using poetic metaphors to add power, does more than improve descriptive skills. Speaking the place aloud deepens the experience by sharpening one's observational skills and adding an imaginative aspect that brings the place alive. Writing the observations in a journal…

Research published since 1980 on the uses of technology in special education is reviewed, including observational and naturalistic studies. The diversity of research in special education stems from the multiple roles of the special education teacher, who has many responsibilities beyond instruction. (SLD)

Presents an heuristic approach to qualitative educational research. Practical theories of research are viewed as personal. They need to be examined to gain a better understanding of the research self and to understand the perspective of others. Exercises designed to generate this understanding are thus a prerequisite for research. (MMU)

Discusses nature activities that teachers can use with young children to help develop the children's observation and processing skills. Teachers and students can examine weeds in the spring, observe and understand the role that insects play in nature, study the many colors and sizes of leaves in the fall, and find and analyze animal tracks in the…

Stimulated recall (SR) is a family of introspective research procedures through which cognitive processes can be investigated by inviting subjects to recall, when prompted by a video sequence, their concurrent thinking during that event. Variations of the generic approach are widely used and many of the studies treat SR as non-problematic. The…