Propensity score matching (PSM) has been used to estimate causal effects of treatment, especially in studies where random assignment to treatment is difficult to obtain. The main purpose of this article is to provide some practical guidance for propensity score sample matching, including definitions, procedures, decisions on each step, and methods…

As given in the Principle 17 of the Agenda 21, there is the need for environmental assessment for human developmental activities that are likely to have significant adverse impacts on the natural environment (UNCED, 1992). This article reviews various assessment methodologies and the reasons why methodological triangulation is a preferred choice…

This research explores the opportunities for incorporating political literacy in science teaching and learning.

Exploring and developing primary teachers' understanding of mathematical reasoning was the focus of the "Mathematical Reasoning Professional Learning Research Program." Twenty-four primary teachers were interviewed after engagement in the first stage of the program incorporating demonstration lessons focused on reasoning conducted in…

Qualitative researchers have for some time followed recommendations to analyze both "how" interview data are generated in addition to "what" is discussed. Yet little has been written about the challenges of representing these sorts of analyses. This paper discusses the challenges of presenting methodological analyses of…

While working for the Youth Offending Service, I used a range of interventions with young people to help reduce their likelihood of reoffending. I became concerned that some of these interventions required the young people to have a higher appreciation of their own (and others') emotions than they appeared able to demonstrate. I felt that this…

From January to May 2012, we pursued a research project analyzing content themes from nurse educators' teaching philosophy statements. This was the first time that teaching philosophies were explored in the field of nursing education. Prior to this study, research on teaching philosophy statements had been limited to content analysis of teaching…

This case study discusses qualitative fieldwork among ethnic minority university students in Malaysia. Active marginalization is taking place in this country due to the enforced differential treatment of ethnic groups, favoring the ethnic Malay majority. In this context, students are forced to choose university education as a conscious means of…

My own 'naturalistic observation' was pertinent to the genesis of this research project, which investigated mature students' emotions within higher education. I have been involved for many years in the kind of classroom environment where I have observed that many female mature students lack confidence in their academic ability, something that is…

In 2003, I began a doctoral research case study of the role of collaborative early intervention teachers as change agents implementing differentiated instruction in an intermediate school setting. Previous studies had focused largely on change theory in general, change in schools, early intervention programs, collaboration, or differentiated…

Video-stimulated verbal recall is becoming an increasingly popular method for examining a broad range of research topics across academic disciplines. One of its major appeals is that it makes it possible to capture and investigate the dynamic nature of task performance and has the potential to provide a wealth of information on the cognitive…

In 2003, I embarked upon a PhD that aimed to explore the societal impacts of closed-circuit television. England was fast emerging as the closed-circuit television capital of the world following an aggressive, state-funded roll out of closed-circuit television systems. Surprisingly, there wasn't a huge amount of empirical research being conducted…

This is an account of a longitudinal study of five school leaders in England. It focuses on methodological choices and dilemmas when compiling an evidence base of the leaders' learning. The conceptual framework developed brought two sociocultural models of learning together to examine learning as identity development. Conflating models raised…

This case study describes a program of research that developed a new measure--the Adaptability Scale--and then tested this new measure through a set of substantive research questions and publications. Three phases of this research program are detailed: a measurement phase, a modeling phase, and a mediation phase. The aim of this case study is to…

This case study is designed to demonstrate lessons learned investigating the integration of faith and learning at a faith-based university in southern California. It describes the use of a social survey to explicitly test a hypothesis related to the influence of having an attachment or vocational perspective on students' perceptions of integration…