This paper argues that communication researchers could benefit from incorporating a rules approach as a supplement to more traditional methods of organizational analysis. Two major flaws in the methodology of traditional organizational analysis are noted: failing to account for actor or participant meanings--how the actor interprets relationships,…

This paper presents a coherent account of affect based on the functional properties of the nervous system. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the nature of a structural theory and contrasts it with a functional view. Then the functional view is discussed in more detail. The following two assumptions of the functional view are described:…

The purpose of this paper is threefold: to describe grounded theory research strategies, to present a summary of several studies in education that have followed this approach, and to explore the potential uses of the grounded theory techniques in curriculum theory generation. The paper is arranged into six parts. In the first and second parts of…

This paper is based on the premise that relatively little is known about how to improve validity in qualitative research and less is known about how to estimate validity in studies conducted by others. The purpose of the study was to describe the conceptualization of validity in qualitative inquiry to determine how it was used by the author of a…

Qualitative research procedures may be characterized by the practice of empiricism that is sensitive to individual perspectives of reality. The many techniques that may be used are malleable and situation-specific in their design--contingent on those aspects of social phenomena that are chosen to be studied. Practical curriculum design for…

Whereas rigorous quantitative methods (in experimental methods, data interpretation, concept formation, hypothesis construction) and formal style and format are essential in theory verification research, their applicability centers on the fact that in theory verification research, it is necessary to determine whether the strategies used for…

A series of papers was developed by the authors as part of their deliberations as members of the National Research Council's Committee of Program Evaluation in Education. The papers provide a broad range of present evaluative thinking. The conflict between preferences in evaluation methodology comes through in these papers. The selections include:…

Awareness of the three analytical perspectives on educational innovation leads to better understanding of educational change processes and better innovation strategies and policies. The three perspectives--technological, political, and cultural--are "screens" of facts, values, and presuppositions through which analysts view innovation.…

Prepared to stimulate discussion on how to design a Swedish policy in information science and technology, this report presents the state-of-the-art of this field as it pertains to the dissemination of scientific information and outlines a program for future research and development. The review portion examines systems for current information…

This paper discusses how an experimental design can be applied to a large-scale evaluation. The purpose of the study described is to assess the success of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in achieving its goal for five comprehensive projects. This paper is divided into four main sections: (1) design; (2) sampling procedures; (3) data…

Internal validity is described as a matter of how well a particular instance of data collection or generation can be described and explained. It is a property of the procedures used in the collection or generation of data. The notion of internal validity is examined in order to establish a method of quantitatively estimating it. A coefficient of…

Research in science teacher education does not appear to have made very much difference in the ways preservice and inservice science teacher education is conducted or in the ways participating teachers teach. This paper illustrates and suggests possible explanations for this state of affairs, and indicates research alternatives which seem to hold…

This self-instructional package includes learning objectives, definitions, exercises, and feedback for learning some basic concepts and skills involved in using computers for analyzing data and understanding basic research terminology. Learning activities are divided into four sections: research and research hypotheses; variables, cases, and…

The suitability of single subject designs for research on coping skills training is discussed. Such training programs teach the individual an active skill for dealing with anxiety-provoking situations. Several research strategies are reviewed, with a discussion of their major assumptions and their potential for testing for generalized effects: (1)…