Fifteen anecdotes representing technical, conceptual, and political problems experienced by internationally recognized experts in the field of second language learning are presented. The anecdotes provide valuable insight for other researchers, users of research results, and for critical analyses of the second language research process. Author/CB)

Reviews existing research about the scope and consequences of child abuse and neglect, and addresses methodological issues pertinent to research, including definition of the problem, study design, and issues of causality and bias. Concludes with a discussion of ethical and legal issues related to such research. (JPS)

In this pilot study, 14 adolescents kept diaries for 6 consecutive weeks during their pregnancies. Diary entries were analyzed for affective tone, emotional lability, and contextuality. Findings question psychometric properties of data gathered using one time, self-report measures with pregnant adolescents because of their fluctuating mood states.…

This article describes four single-subject research designs comparing two or more interventions with young disabled children--the multitreatment design, alternating treatments design, adapted alternating treatments design, and parallel treatments design. Problems in using these designs include multitreatment interference, nonreversibility of some…

Provides an introduction to sampling, determination of sample size, and selection of the actual sample that would be useful for librarians conducting research and evaluation studies. Highlights include sampling method, sampling error, confidence level, and microcomputer software packages that help determine sample size. (Contains 26 references.)…

The use of multiple regression for analyzing data from the regression-discontinuity design (RDD) is examined, considering the effects of random measurement error in the pretest, treatment-effect interactions, and curvilinearity in the regression analysis of RDD. Three sets of conditions of increasing generality are reviewed. (SLD)

This letter points out flaws in van der Lely and Howard's argument that children with specific language impairments have no deficits in verbal short-term memory. The original methodology is faulted for providing uninterpretable assessment of verbal short-term functions and for failure to follow memory techniques from previous studies. Sample…

Benefits and limitations of structural equation models for multivariate experiments with incomplete data are presented. Examples from studies of latent variable path models of cognitive performance illustrate analyses with latent variables, omitted variables, randomly missing data, and nonrandomly missing data. (SLD)

This paper explores how a dance scholar's experience in dance is represented in her educational research. Discussion covers perceptions of art, body-mind dualities in schools and educational practice, the process and products of research and choreography, and crafting the choreography of research. (JB)

Analog baselines are an experimental methodology for identifying the functions of maladaptive behavior of individuals with developmental disabilities in naturally occurring environments. This article identifies potential limitations of this methodology, including: fidelity of baseline design conditions, a narrow analysis of behavior, and limited…

Investigates the rising phenomenon of teacher research among secondary English teachers. Discusses costs, benefits, kinds of opportunities, and ethical and monetary considerations. Includes a 12-item annotated list of published reports of such research. (HB)

Presents the experiences of four researchers who successfully gained access to organizations. (RS)

This article describes the functions of ethnography and the primary themes that form the foundation for qualitative inquiry generally and ethnography specifically, as applied in the fields of education and communication disorders. Quantitative and qualitative methods are compared for inquiry conditions, analysis, researcher's role, orientation,…

Describes a framework for collecting evidence on the impact of educational technology on learning. The framework is designed to provide a common core of evidence, have internal coherence and the ability to sustain layered objectives, be easy to use, and accommodate a range of foci and perspectives. Suggested questions for a review process are…

Discusses methodological issues concerning qualitative research and describes research practices that qualitative researchers use to address these methodological issues. Topics discussed include the researcher as interpreter, the emergent nature of qualitative research, understanding the experience of others, trustworthiness in qualitative…