Critiques the writings of "New York Times" education columnist Richard Rothstein. (PKP)

Comments on an article that argues that the compartmentalism of structures observed in mixed languages is the result of the cumulative effect of different contact mechanisms. Focuses on the suggestion that "words are not simply words, but are divided into functional categories." (Author/VWL)

In this discussion of quantitative research synthesis, past criticisms of meta-analysis are reviewed along with the ways they have been addressed. Objections to single-subject synthesis methods are discussed, along with the advantages of using the percentage-of- nonoverlapping-data metric. The article concludes by questioning the veracity of…

Calls for a process-oriented approach to study of categorization in infancy. Maintains that further understanding of infant categorization and its changes with development requires a more direct assessment of infants' category formation. Argues that two research directions will enhance understanding of categorization: (1) contextual variations on…

Illustrates the use of auto- and biographical materials as part of a research process concerned with problematic aspects of learning science. Draws on an extended study of graphing among university students and research scientists, and on the autobiography and interview data from one of the authors to point out some of the sources of difficulties…

Presents a model to help schools pose and answer data-based questions about teaching and learning, describing different types of data that educators can use to piece together pictures of their schools (e.g., student learning statistics, demographic data, and school process data) and discussing how educators can cross data from different categories…

Traces the development of teacher education research, discussing five segments of recent scholarship and their contributions to teacher education policy and practice: survey research, case studies, conceptual and historical research, studies of learning to teach, and examinations of the nature and impact of teacher education activities, including…

Analyzes data on 199 boundary-crossing articles published in sociology and political science journals over a 20-year period. Results suggest that disciplinary boundaries are less restrictive than the literature suggests, and that boundary-crossing publications are involved in complex patterns of interdisciplinary information transfer. (AEF)

Examines methods for recording personal accounts, personal narratives, teachers' stories, and narrative interviews for the purpose of understanding how teachers make sense of problems in their lives and work. Reflects on how the ethics of caring helps resolve concerns for the presence of teacher's voices in the interpreting and writing of…

Asserts that the reductionistic methodology used by M. Wang, G. Haertel, and H. Walberg in their study does not do justice to the educational phenomena they wish to illuminate. In addition, these authors have too simple a view of the relationship between educational research and educational practice. (SLD)

Applies three distinct analyses to recorded and transcribed student conversations (n=240) about brine shrimps. The complementary analytic methods provide information on the content of pupils' conversations in terms of the observations made, the ways in which pupils make sense of their observations, and the ways in which students use conversation…

Examines the relationship between macro and micro perspectives on the organization of participation structure, and considers how both perspectives can be useful to the ethnographer of interaction. Examples are drawn from a study of Navajo preschool and supported by a substantial body of classroom ethnography in other Native-American communities.…

A study explored constraints experienced by policy researchers working for the National Commission on Student Assistance, founded in 1980 to investigate federal student-aid policy. It analyzed how political changes limited the scope of research questions, influenced reporting of results, and reduced effects of research on policymaking. Findings…

Investigates the relationship between learning preferences and the following antecedents of library anxiety: (1) barriers with staff, (2) affective barriers, (3) comfort with the library, (4) knowledge of the library, and (5) mechanical barriers. Participants were graduate students (n=203) in a research methodology course. Analysis revealed that…

Considers how case study approaches can be used cross-nationally. Outlines five stages of conducting and learning from case studies: (1) selection; (2) verification; (3) cumulation; (4) generalization; and (5) application. Illustrates each phase using research on primary school teachers in Russia and South Africa. (CMK)