Provides an overview of ethical issues related to social research with children. Sets discussion in context of current debates in Britain and explores extent to which children should be regarded as similar to or different from adults, particularly children's supposed position as vulnerable, incompetent, and relatively powerless in society. Offers…

Argues that personal experience and social life are inherently meaningful and that qualitative research designs can contribute to theory-building in counseling and psychotherapy. To illustrate the use of qualitative research designs and methods of analysis, a study of family members' views of family therapy is described. (RJM)

Presents the theoretical framework and research design of a project based on longitudinal data collected in the United Sates and the United Kingdom that investigated the processes of mediated information retrieval searching during human information-seeking processes. Topics include problem-solving; uncertainty; cognitive styles; and…

Challenges librarians to create midlife leaves that will inspire professional growth and renewal and help define future career directions. Presents a framework for developing a successful leave based on experiences at Concordia University (Montreal) and offers examples of specific options, including internships, exchanges, conferences, community…

Suggested research procedures for higher education practitioners with little research background, emphasizing college persistence and education studies, include seeking advice from qualified colleagues and statisticians, especially in the planning stages. Focal areas include scientific interest, practical significance, research design, previous…

Determining which program evaluations in developing countries are appropriate/feasible for randomized experiments to plan and evaluate social programs is discussed. Five threshold conditions are defined. Reviews of experiments from Barbados, China, Colombia, Kenya, Israel, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Taiwan, and the United States illustrate the issues…

Explores the relationship of attitudes toward disability and the frequency of contact with mainstreamed disabled children. Suggests the mere presence of disabled students in school settings does not have an intensive effect on the emotional reaction of nondisabled students and may be associated with more negative attitudes toward disabled persons.…

Discussion of research problems in instructional technology emphasizes two main needs: (1) development of a prescriptive research methodology; and (2) more front end analysis that produces a distinction between instructional design research and instructional development research. Two examples of research using the prescriptive technology approach…

The use of the expert-novice technique in science education is examined critically. Discussed are four techniques including their methodological limitations. Improvements and alternatives in experimental design are suggested. (Author/CW)

Six papers discuss concerns and research in mathematics education and reflect the diversity of approaches used in addressing substantive issues related to mathematics teaching and learning. Student, curriculum, and teacher are considered in empirical and conceptual studies, each of which also presents a review of the literature. (SLD)

Problems when developing and operating a successful student assessment program are described. Potential problems and solutions in three major areas are examined: the purposes and definitions of assessment, program implementation, and assessment designs and methods. (Author/MLW)

Evaluates the methodological adequacy of 37 studies of reading comprehension strategy instruction according to criteria of both internal and external validity. Finds many strengths, but identifies six important weaknesses. Suggests guidelines for planning future studies, and urges comprehension researchers to pay more attention to methodological…

Criticized in this response is research published previously in "The Journal of Environmental Education." Considered are the limitations of the project, experimental design, control of variables, and the use of the case study approach. Includes 35 references. (CW)

Illustrates how the combined use of qualitative and quantitative methods were necessary in obtaining a clearer understanding of the process of incest in American society. Argues that the exclusive use of one methodology would have obscured important information. (FMW)

Describes public and private online networks and the characteristics of electronic mail. Reviews the literature on survey research conducted via electronic mail, and examines the issues of design, implementation, and response. A table displays advantages and disadvantages of electronic mail surveys. (AEF)