Points out that in languages in which nouns have a grammatical gender, word recognition can be estimated by gender-decision response times. Notes that although gender decision has yet to be used extensively, it has proved sensitive to several factors affecting lexical access and that this task can be used with linguistic information from other…

This article discusses alternative analyses that reflect the practical significance of test results and the role of sample size in the interpretation of results. It explores effect size reporting and using "what if" analyses to reflect on the role of sample size in the decision to accept the null hypothesis. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Demonstrates how recent methodological developments in the analysis of individual growth can inform important problems in education policy, focusing on growth mixture modeling and applying growth mixture modeling to data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten class of 1998-99 to investigate the effects of full- and part-day…

This study examined whether item overlap, or measurement confounding, accounts for the correlation between temperament and behavior problem symptoms in children. Experts rated items on Children's Behavior Questionnaire and Preschool Behavior Questionnaire for their fit to both constructs, and then these items were factor analyzed with longitudinal…

Argues that national intervention endeavors should contain evaluation requirements that are sufficiently flexible to allow a range of rigorous evaluation designs. Uses the recent America Reads Challenge and research and evaluation efforts conducted independently at three university sites to illustrate the possibilities and pitfalls in engaging in…

Argues that researchers give insufficient concern to choice of research sites. Criticizes researchers who settle for sites based on convenient ready access, time, financial and personal costs and who do not consider theoretical objectives of studies. Illustrates main arguments using comparative research about schools for religious minorities in…

Discusses strategies that teachers and school librarians can use for building student understanding of content and the research process. Topics include the interdependence of information skills; being aware of students' prior knowledge and experience; comparing data; and building the research process with information processing skills. (LRW)

Describes a schoolwide research improvement initiative that was designed to improve information literacy in a high school setting. Discusses self-study and examination of student work; cognitive issues; school culture; online resources that were developed; improving search strategies; discouraging electronic plagiarism; creating pathfinders;…

Examines a new approach to university economic impact research that views institutional expenditures as a means to increase the state's skill base, and finds that while the approach yields favorable results for higher education it fails to consider fully the effects of migration. Advises researchers to avoid this approach and use the traditional,…

Demonstrates how electronic mail and the World Wide Web are effective tools for focus group research and programmatic decision making by highlighting how an electronic needs assessment survey was conducted on participants' use of the Web. Sidebars contain the four-step focus group methodology; sample questions and responses; and a comparison of…

The perceptions of students toward conservation and nature utilization and their behavior toward the environment were studied with 725 Danish adolescents and a previously studied group of Bavarian adolescents. Following construct validation, comparison of mean within-region factor values reveals substantial differences between countries. (SLD)

Provides background information and a practical guide for including demographic information in developmental research. Describes historic demographic trends reflecting ways family and economic environments have been and continue to be transformed; presents demographic statistics to provide basis for comparison of research populations; and offers…

The usefulness of small-scale interview studies to explore the validity of science achievement tests in several formats was studied with 141 high school students and 49 fifth and sixth graders. Results, which provided evidence of test validity, also support the use of small-scale qualitative interviews in test validation. (SLD)

Explores the feasibility of using focus groups to assess how scholastic publications can better meet high school students' readership requirements. Relates focus-group research and a research project dealing with communication and in-house publications to high school journalism. (PA)

Points out that early childhood development research is fraught with questions about researchers' ability to understand the mind of the child and the feasibility of true collaboration with children in the research process. Delineates common complications in the research process and summarizes responses to a survey of early childhood researchers…