The author examines the current state of research on teaching and argues that the technique of "grounded theory," a method for discovering theory from data, would be an effective means for improving theoretical bases of teaching. The meanings of "theory" and "theory building" are discussed, including what theory is,…

This research investigates stochastic approximation procedures of the Robbins-Monro type. Following a brief introduction to sequential experimentation, attention is focused on formal methods for selecting successive values of a single independent variable. Empirical results obtained through computer simulation are used to compare several formal…

This final report of a National Institute of Education project explores Bayesian statistical analysis as a paradigm for educational impact studies, particularly studies on the education of the disadvantaged. The position of the report is that much of what is wrong with educational research can be attributed to the use of an inappropriate model for…

According to the authors, statistical techniques should accurately reflect the research question of interest; no statistical technique should be used mechanically. A researcher should employ the statistical models most capable of answering the research question. If the true research question is concerned with predicting a variety of dependent…

Critiqued is a 1973 published research report of the Denton State School Study which evaluated the effectiveness of the Doman-Delacato treatment method with mildly and moderately institutionalized retardates. (CL)

A set procedure developed in this study is useful in determining sample size, based on specification of linear contrasts involving certain formula treatments. (Author/DEP)

An analysis is made of the questions that urban anthropologists ask and the perspectives that they adopt in their work. The first half of the article inquires into general questions and comparative methodology. The second half uses the case of the Puerto Ricans of Rochester, New York, to suggest how important and creative perspectives may be…

In order to test the hypothesis that middle-class subjects will spend more time on a difficult task than will working class subjects, 40 adult white married females were randomly selected from two small towns in north-central Oklahoma and given independently and in random order a logico-manipulative task and a motor-manipulative task. (Author/JM)

Discussion of different types of methodological approaches, and description of the research methods used to study an innovative secondary school in England, make clear why the case study was chosen as the method to employ. The methodological approaches considered included the positivist or scientific method, involving external observation and the…

The arguments for and against Thomas Kuhn's paradigmatic thesis are presented in this paper as a means of discussing the appropriateness of Kuhn's thesis to the emerging composition discipline. Section one of the paper introduces the topic, noting how the term paradigm is used in composition to define a system of widely shared values, beliefs, and…

The purpose of the project described in this report was to develop an instrument that would measure the zones of indifference of teachers to typical directives issued by administrators. Zones of indifference describe the extent to which people will respond to orders or directives issued by authority figures. The following procedures were followed…

This manual presents a system of precedures constructed to improve occupational student follow-up in California community colleges. First, introductory material describes the development of the Student Accountability Model (SAM) project; presents two levels of guidelines for the system--essential and highly desirable; and enumerates assumptions…

In exploring factors inhibiting formal evaluation at the school district level, and limiting the utility of conventional achievement monitoring, this paper begins with a review of the actual origin of the Elementary Secondary Education Act's (ESEA) evaluation requirements, and the attempts to implement national evaluation of ESEA Title I programs.…

Path analysis is presented as a technique that can be used to test on a priori model based on a theoretical conceptualization involving a network of selected variables. This being an introductory source, no previous knowledge of path analysis is assumed, although some understanding of the fundamentals of multiple regression analysis might be…