The utility of the Wilms study for policy making in vocational education is critically examined. A set of criteria for examining research for policy is presented and then applied to the Wilms study with the conclusion that because of its weaknesses the report cannot be taken seriously for policymaking although it has done a service to the…

Suggests the need for science to set research priorities in response to the growing gap between research opportunities and financial resources. Biomedical and defense research are presented as examples. The conclusion is that fundamental scientific research should attempt to balance between social needs and technological possibilities. (Author/DB)

Repeats an earlier study by the authors concerning informants' ability to report their communication accurately and confirms results indicating that people do not know those with whom they communicate. Expands the original experimental design and offers recommendations for future research. (MH)

This is the first of a two-part article on the controversy over hand-held calculators in the classroom. Considers the pros and cons of the issue, attempts to differentiate between the facts and assumptions about the problem, and identifies the important questions for research. (Editor)

Clarifies a general approach to understanding teaching effectiveness research, outlines the requirements of the kind of research that is believed likely to result in verified generalizations about the primary dimensions along which effective and ineffective teachers vary, and provides an example of the kind of research it is believed is needed.…

Responds to papers in this Quarterly by Colley and Smith. (JM)

Application of the Kruskal-Wallis test to survey research problems is discussed as an alternative for the business education researcher in testing questionnaire response differences among three or more independent groups. Problem illustrations and a computer program are included. (MF)

Presents a criticism of C. Hicks's references as being out of date or of inadequate methodology. Includes a defense from Hicks and a third-party adjudication suggesting that while the criticisms are well taken, the proposed solutions are not practical and the reader must beware. (HTH)

Focusing on the communication field's institutional use of central terms and concepts, explores why the field has failed to define itself, its intellectual focus, and its goals. Considers the field's emergence in the context of the history of the social sciences to help illuminate its intellectual task. (JD)

The objective relevance of a document to a request is crucial to the design and testing of bibliographic retrieval systems, while subjective relevance is paramount in the use of such systems. The distinction provides a rationale for a trial-and-error mode of interaction with information systems. (Author/EM)

Makes a distinction between developmental and remedial programs and suggests reasons for the difficulty in evaluating these programs. Identifies basic limitations in educational research, factors found in successful programs, questions to be considered in selecting and formulating the evaluation design, and five useful educational research…

It is difficult to conduct randomized field experiments. In the past decade, the use of alternative randomization plans and incentives has contributed to their operational feasibility; legal, ethical, and professional arguments for experimentation have matured; and expectations have become better aligned with practical constraints that are likely…

The research literature on measurement problems with such outcome variables as student on-task behavior, classroom disruption, and academic performance is examined. Focus is on how the problems relate to understanding the interrelationships among these common intervention targets. (TJH)

Areas of need in educational research are discussed: (1) assessment of student achievement; (2) necessary content area skills; (3) traits of outstanding teachers; (4) how to teach higher order thinking skills; (5) effective computer use; (6) skills to enhance worker productivity; (7) sound investments for education; (8) effective methods of…

Research is reviewed on the interaction patterns of individuals using augmentative and alternative communication systems. Major findings and limitations of interaction studies are highlighted, focusing on methodological approaches, subjects, partners, contexts and sampling procedures, and measures and data analyses. Directions for future research…