Schools of education at elite, research-based universities have pursued three impractical survival strategies: interdisciplinary appeasement, academic intensification, and search for legitimacy as a social science. Such schools must repudiate the academic reward system and concentrate on preparing research-sensitive practitioners and conducting…

Discusses the relationship between philosophical ideas and practical applications of the educational philosophy of open learning. A general analysis model of open learning that examines this relationship is presented, openness as reflected in the literature of open learning is discussed, and implications for educational providers and users are…

Although "disengagement theory" is today largely discounted, it has an important place in the history of gerontology. First, the historical context of this theory must be analyzed. Second, long-term contributions and deficiencies should be examined in terms of finer criteria-standards which are suggested for use in evaluation of current…

In this presentation, Parsonian action theory is used to develop a framework for assessing the structured interaction of persons and social context, and the autonomy and persistence of lifestyles which provide a basis for predicting successful aging. (BF)

Theoretical impact of Kansas City Studies stems from issues ignored as much as from those addressed. Studies advanced search for "normal" aging, although diversity was not adequately addressed initially. Also adopted and furthered a highly individualistic understanding of aging, whereas the sociological analyses lacked adequate…

Examines the implications of computerized scoring of placement essays on the theory and practice of writing assessment and writing instruction. Argues that the very feature that makes computerized scoring inexpensive--its universality--undermines its validity. (SR)

A discussion of the responsibility of the college teacher as researcher looks at the researcher's role in setting agendas that may be of national or international significance, effects of research on the lives of individuals and groups studied, possible consequences of the findings, and perceptions of "successful" research. More difficult debates…

Reviews a book, "Teachers' Voices for School Change" by Andrew Gitlin, on educative research and teacher voice, examining the educative research process which grounds reflection in the life histories of teacher researchers, presenting four case studies on educative research, and reflecting on the educative research process itself.…

This article suggests that recent developments in cognitive science offer legal scholars the means to better understand the range of knowledge and practice of lawyers, including such issues as judgment, wisdom, expertise, and relationship of theory to practice in law. A broader view of the role of theory in lawyering practice is proposed;…

Suggests that andragogy is ill defined and the nature of sociological theory in nursing education is too undeveloped to produce a "knowledgeable doer," a qualitatively different kind of nurse practitioner. Proposes a critical health curriculum using student-centered learning and critical theory. (SK)

A former classroom teacher studied the role of action research in restructuring schools. The article discusses the background information she collected on reasons for conducting action research (personal/professional growth, improved practice, advancing the profession, contributing to the professional literature, promoting collaboration, and…

Reacts to Martin's (1995) essay concerning scientism in psychotherapy. Argues that the lack of understanding concerning the effectiveness of psychotherapy is reason for further examination, rather than a questioning of principles of research. The limited observation and measurement means of the behavioral sciences may account for the significant…

Demonstrates that critical approaches to voice, as a central manifestation of subjectivity, are currently skewed toward spoken or written phenomenon. Argues for voicing as a phenomenon that is constructed and expressed visually and orally, and as a phenomenon that has import also in being a thing heard, perceived, and reconstructed. (TB)

This commentary on EC 608 302, which discusses behavioral research methodology involving individuals with developmental disabilities, argues that a clear distinction must be made between methods and models, there is a need for more broadly focused intervention studies considering the body of applied practical knowledge, and differences in research…

This commentary on EC 608 301, a paper on behavioral research methodology used with individuals with developmental disabilities, argues that the paper does not portray behavior analysis accurately, advances arguments that may not be reliably enough agreed upon, and seeks to modify reader behavior without sufficiently addressing the variables of…