Comments upon a 1981 article by Alexander, Pallas, and Cook. Discusses whether particular standardized tests measure achievement or ability and the implications of this issue for school effects research. (GC)

Reviews school desegregation literature to assess how well existing research provides information on school desegregating effects. Identifies disparities in methods and other characteristics among different studies and explores areas for improvement in the methodology and theory of future work. (Author/MJL)

Investigated the utility of profile analysis, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised (WISC--R) to differentiate learning disabled from emotionally disturbed and nonhandicapped children. Little evidence supported the use of WISC--R subtest scatter. Research efforts focused on WISC--R subtests related to the learning process are…

Examines the trend toward "scientism" or applying a quantifiable methodology for its own sake to research on sentence combining. Argues that sentence combining is only a tool and not a suitable curriculum for composition instruction and cautions against using social scientific methodologies in essentially humanistic disciplines. (HTH)

In this response to Ronald J. Duhamel, the need is expressed for a "conceptual leap" that would allow theory and practice to be seen as equal partners in educational administration. Aspects of research that go beyond solving practical problems are discussed. Difficulties researchers face getting funds and school information are cited.…

Examined and measured effects of individual differences among the elderly in a cognitive training program emphasizing general learning skills. Memory improvement was greater for learning skill training and social support compared with a waiting list group. Individual variability obscured statistical differences in treatment effect. Examined…

Summarizes past and present television and aging research, identifies several methodological concerns or problems of this research, and considers future directions for mass communication and aging investigations. Television portrayals of the elderly, television viewing behaviors, and the role of television are among the research areas discussed.…

Outlines an alternative research method to capture the dynamics of local situations and accompanying interactions by describing sense-making in classrooms and the community and defining ethnomethodology and interpretation followed by a discussion of a case study and its usefulness to Indian education research. (ERB)

Focuses on small groups in work organizations, sources of stress, and available social support systems in five articles. Includes a methodological paper on measuring social support in work groups. Analyzes the complexity of coping strategies, and the relationship of occupational and life stressors to each other and the family. (KMF)

Suggests that many of the forces which are resulting in declining enrollments in history courses originate outside the discipline and will not be affected much by remedies attempted by historians. The essay also argues that traditional historical practice will survive the current crisis if its unique identity, values, and functions are reaffirmed.…

Research papers (N=111) published in Vols. 11-13 of "Journal of Research in Science Teaching" were used in this study to validate areas of productivity in science educational research. Questions were answered regarding research area interests, stability of priorities for research, and omissions of research in high-priority areas. (CS)

The pros and cons of laboratory vs. field-based research are debated, and a university-based model program for research at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro into mainstreaming in physical education is described. (JN)

Outlines the pros and cons of Project JOLT, a "Scared Straight" type of program. Raises some theoretical, methodological, and political issues surrounding the Scared Straight approach. Illustrates some of the pitfalls in program evaluation in corrections and makes some recommendations. (Author/RC)

Examines why social science/social studies educational research does not generate theories. The author concludes that the subject matter of this kind of research--human beings in their sociocultural milieu--makes it difficult to make objective observations from which theoretical principles can be derived. (AM)

The shortcomings of the three main approaches to measuring teacher effectiveness (systematic observation, participant observation, and questionnaires) are discussed and problems of research design and analysis considered. The development of better measures of educational benefits to complement the emphasis on test scores is suggested. (Author/SK)