The author argues for an epidemiology data base (which looks at cognitive, aptitude, family condition, school condition, and personal characteristic variables) as a strategy for research with learning disabled (LD) adolescents and young adults. An operational definition, advantages, and problems of this type of research strategy are outlined. A…

The development of the between-class, within-class analysis has facilitated a more refined analysis of classroom processes and influences: those which affect a class as a whole, a student within a class, or an individual student independent of context. However, a problem arises in using a between-class, within-class analysis to infer a particular…

The inclusion of an ethnographic approach within the basic framework of a quantitative one is outlined in an attempt to combine their methodologies. Examples from an ethnographic case study of kindergarten aged children in Utuado, Puerto Rico are used to illustrate the issues being discussed, especially research design. The Puerto Rican study…

Traditionally research is done via the scientific method, which is quantitative; however, qualitative research is seen by some as a better way to study rural education. Advocates of the quantitative viewpoint claim that it is the only way to develop cumulative knowledge. Advocates of the qualitative method reject the "scientific" view as…

The transcript of a teleconference on the relations among rhetorical theory, communication theory, and research as it was presented to a speech communications class at Texas Tech University in 1971 is presented in this paper. Issues discussed in the transcript include whether intent is a useful defining characteristic of the term "communicaton";…

When investigating differences between two sets of scores, the t test is appropriate. If the two sets of data are from two groups of subjects, then the independent t test is appropriate. If the two sets are from the same subjects, the dependent t test is required. In this paper, the authors describe the use of a third test when part of a data set…

The purpose of this paper is to outline a set of principles to guide research on the early education of Hawaiian children. The paper discusses what R. Tharp and R. Gallimore term a "climax program," or combination of program elements which produces a desired social outcome. How research efforts can be structured to contribute to the…

In order to obtain accurate and factual data, a survey instrument must be well constructed and a survey planned carefully and conducted under strict conditions. Of importance in planning a survey is a determination of previous and on-going research through an extensive literature review. In designing the survey, the researcher should aim at…

REPORTS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INITIAL TEACHING ALPHABET (I.T.A.) FOR INSTRUCTION IN BEGINNING READING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH CAUTION. SINCE NO DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS USED IS AVAILABLE, EDUCATORS FAIL TO ASSESS RESULTS OBJECTIVELY AND ARE MISLED BY DRAMATIC GAINS WHICH REFER TO SPECIAL CONDITIONS. HAWTHORNE…

THE AUTHOR'S PURPOSE IN THIS CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CURRENT LINGUISTIC THOUGHT IS TO "INVITE LINGUISTS TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THOSE BELIEFS WHICH REST ULTIMATELY UPON CERTAIN PHILOSOPHICAL COMMITMENTS" AND WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED (IN HER OPINION) WITHOUT PROPER ASSESSMENT. SOME OF THE BELIEFS SHE QUESTIONS ARE--(1) THAT LINGUISTIC METHOD…

The effects of racism and sexism can be seen in the various elements of research methods including the selection of topics, design, sampling, measurement, and the generation of conclusions. In selecting topics, potential sources of bias such as funding sources and publishing patterns are covered. How knowledge of appropriate literature, selection…

This paper provides guidlines for formally evaluating extended-day programs. Extended-day programs are defined as those attended before and after school by children between the ages of 5 and 14. A seven step evaluation process, in which the practitioner responsible for program administration plays a key role, is outlined and discussed. (Author/RH)

THE PROJECT METHOD OF FUNDING RESEARCH PLACES IMPORTANCE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCH RESEARCH IN BOTH PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL STAGES. TYPICAL RESEARCH PROPOSALS DO NOT DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE SCHEDULE TO BE MAINTAINED, THE COMPLEX OF INTERRELATED ACTIVITIES, THE NATURE OF THE TASKS TO BE PERFORMED, OR THE TIME AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO DO THE TASK.…

Objective evaluation of school programs is a process in which a school staff collects information used to provide feedback as to whether or not a given set of objectives has been met. The Evaluative Programs for Innovativ e Curriculums (EPIC) four-step scheme of objective evaluation is based on a three-dimensional structure of variables…

The research reported in this study explores two problematic avenues of conformity research: (1) the widely assumed generality of diverse measures of group pressure, and (2) the dimensionality of conformity, anticonformity, and independence. These two conformity situations, present and nonpresent norm groups, used two tasks (an objective counting…