Explores the relationship among media consumers, institutional economics, and cultural ethos and suggests that communication researchers must adopt a flexible methodology capable of considering all relevant forces. Uses the case of Norway's broadcasting of the U.S. television series "Dynasty" to help illustrate these premises. (MG)

Argues that cultural studies imported to the United States often lose much of their critical edge. Contends that their misleading affirmation of the power and independence of media audiences is derived from several factors, including (1) overestimating the freedom of audiences in reception; and (2) confusing active reception with political…

Discusses research methods for studies of rural or agrarian households. Explores seven principles and general observations stemming from qualitative rural research. Discusses issues and characteristics of rural culture, society, families, and individuals as research subjects. Offers additional lessons regarding gathering, treatment, and analysis…

The problem of the appropriate comparison group for bereavement studies is discussed. The use of the retrospective pretest design is illustrated through a longitudinal study of bereavement outcome following pregnancy loss, involving 138 bereaved women and a comparison group of 215 currently pregnant women. (SLD)

The relevance of verbal reports of thinking for validating multiple-choice critical thinking tests was examined. Results from 342 senior high school students in Newfoundland (Canada) indicate that verbal reports can meet a necessary condition of validation data and collecting data does not alter thinking and performance. (SLD)

Analyzes education and comparative education as intellectual disciplines, stressing learning over teaching. Traces changes in comparative education research policies, citing the influence of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Suggests African comparative education research should use alternative…

Describes oral history interviewing techniques that the author used to research his biography of Joseph McCarthy before the American Historical Association (AHA) issued its seven guidelines on interview use. These guidelines focus on taping sessions, signed releases, written transcripts, respecting human dignity, and placing materials in archive…

Social problem solving and cognitive style (field independence/field dependence) were studied in a sample of 70 elementary and secondary teachers taking a summer course in counseling. Protocol analysis was used to identify the variety of problem-solving methods applied to social problems. (SLD)

Explores critics' challenges to orthodox social science inquiry in educational finance, arguing that the Brimelow-Hickrod debates may inadvertently be more focused on tactical means and short-term risk shifting than strategic ends and long-term commonweal. The field's analytical tools may lack a sophisticated understanding of uncertainty,…

Describes a business communication instruction method which integrates business research techniques and communication skills. Offers theoretical justification for such integration and discusses the premises and benefits of a course based on the integration. Describes the course in detail and evaluates its strengths and weaknesses. (SG)

The role of the teacher as researcher is related to key themes in the literature on action research. Current issues facing teachers involved in research into their own practice are highlighted. The pressure of accountability placed on teachers is discussed in the context of teacher research. (IAH)

Surveys changes in the content of the U.S. census from 1790 to 1990. Focuses on how the information collected changed with the growth and development of the country. Lists principal topics covered in the population census since 1790, and in the housing census since 1940. Includes facsimiles of 1910 and 1990 census forms. (LS)

A consideration of ethics is necessary in the development of guidelines for conducting and reporting research. A brief description of the history of ethical guidelines in research is presented followed by suggestions for development of ethical guidelines, both those that can be legislated and those that cannot. (SI)

Discusses the features of feminist research in psychology. Evaluates proposals for distinctively feminist research methods. Refutes suggestions that experimentation and quantitative research are inherently less feminist than other approaches. Rejects criteria based on sex of participant or researcher. Concludes that any research method can be…

Examines the social relations of researchers and research participants in feminist psychology. Argues that the conventions governing how psychologists describe their research highlight certain activities and render others invisible. Discusses how the depersonalized writing style generally employed demonstrates a contradiction between ideals and…