This paper presents an overview of systems theory as an introduction to the applications possible to a model of burnout. Literature dealing with burnout is reviewed and shown to be in an early, descriptive stage, with basic concepts largely unchallenged. Meier's (1982) expanded model of burnout, based on current cognitive-behavioral and vocational…

Fall 1982 data on first-time, full-time freshmen are presented as part of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program. The normative data are presented separately for women and men, and for 38 groupings of institutions. The major stratifying factors are institutional race (predominantly black versus predominantly white), type (two-year college,…

Changes in participation in five U.S. Department of Education student financial aid programs were assessed for 1974 and 1981. These programs are the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program, the College Work Study program, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) program, the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program, and the Pell or…

The uses, pitfalls, and mechanics of videotaping for educational research are summarized. The first section discusses methodological aspects of videotaping, suggesting the capabilities of the technique and specific uses for videotaping in research studies. Disadvantages are also detailed, and a simple framing technique is described which can…

Methodologies for life course analyses must explain complex biological, psychosocial, and social factors which result in various patterns of life trajectories. Four problems are characteristic of current research: a seemingly endless list of potentially significant variables; a dearth of life course theory beyond childhood to assist in targeting…

Laboratory simulations combine the strengths of lab experiments and field studies while avoiding many of their liabilities. They permit the emotional involvement, the time needed for development of norms and interlocked systems of interaction, and the broad range of variables typical of field settings, yet allow for experimental controls and…

Numerous studies indicate that minority group students are more likely to be chosen by educators as learning handicapped. The present study solicited the names of students in need of special education from 203 regular class teachers in a school system with a restricted SES range and which was 99 percent white. (Editor)

In the series introduction, Roblyer (2005) presents a conceptual framework for improving typical research on educational technology. This commentary is intended to extend and deepen Roblyer's very brief discussion of one particular type of research--studies of technology-based instructional designs--that she describes as "almost…

Introduction: This paper discusses how exploring the research process in-depth and over time contributes to a fuller understanding of interactions with various representations of information. Method. A longitudinal ethnographic study explored decisions made by two informants involved in scholarly research. Relevance assessment and information…

Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA) is an effective instructional procedure in which a group of readers listen to tape recordings of oral readings. A group member may stop the tape whenever a miscue is identified. The miscue is then analyzed by answering questions about the miscue. RMA can be easily adapted for use with microcomputers or for…

This monograph analyzes the philosophical foundations of research into the administration of educational organizations. The first part reviews past debates about the philosophical foundations of research in educational administration, focusing on three contending schools of thought: the empiricists, the phenomenologists, and the critical…

A classroom/laboratory exercise has been used to introduce college students to factorial research designs, differentiate between interpretations for experimental and quasi-experimental variables, and exemplify application of laboratory research methods to test practical questions (advertising claims). The exercise involves having randomly divided…

The use of the modern computer has revolutionized the field of educational research. Software packages are currently available that allow almost anyone to analyze data efficiently and rapidly. Yet, caution must temper the widespread acceptance and use of these programs. It is recommended that the researcher not rely solely on the use of…

A study investigated the statistical techniques used by applied linguists and reported in three journals, "Language Learning,""Applied Linguistics," and "TESOL Quarterly," between 1980 and 1986. It was found that 47% of the published articles used statistical procedures. In these articles, 63% of the techniques used could be called basic, 28%…

A discussion of schema theory as it relates to the learning of English as a Second Language reviews related research and its implications for classroom instruction. The first section looks at schema theory in general and content schemata in particular, focusing on how they affect reading comprehension. Studies of non-native speakers, schema…