A methodology is presented for minimizing the mean error variance-covariance component in studies with resource constraints. The method is illustrated using a one-facet multivariate design. Extensions to other designs are discussed. (SLD)

Challenges many of the specific ideas and actions discussed in J. Myers's "The Social Contexts of School and Personal Literacy," published in this journal (volume 27, pages 297-333). Argues that the investigator appeared to be the sole source through all analyses, many assumptions were either internally of externally inconsistent, and the effects…

Examines the link between social skill and dysphoria. Finds three factors that help explain inconsistent results in the literature: conceptualization of social skill, perspective from which social skill is assessed, and situational outcome. Shows that the link between social skill and dysphoria is complex and affected by the three factors. (SR)

The field of gifted education lags behind other veins of educational research in utilization of the array of available research approaches. The dominance of the positivistic model is evidenced in realizing that all other research approaches (constructivism, critical theory, qualitative approaches) account for less than one-third of total research…

The authors of research on transition from special education respond to Robin Jackson's review article criticizing their work; deny that their research was subject to external pressure by the Scottish Office Education Department, which funded the research; and respond to several of Jackson's points as misrepresenting or misinterpreting the…

Used empirical example of longitudinal experimental prevention study with two groups to illustrate use of structural equation modeling, first, to systematically test measurement invariance across groups at each wave of measurement, and second, after establishing measurement invariance, to test structural invariance longitudinally. (Author/NB)

The new concept of research on teaching includes such methods as storytelling, narrative, and autobiography, relies on language and dialog, and affirms the centrality and wisdom of teachers. Teachers are able to express their views in their own language, and their knowledge and expertise are respected. (SK)

This poem, with stanzas in limerick form, refers humorously to the many threats to validity posed by problems in research design, including problems of sample selection, data collection, and data analysis. (SLD)

Examines current practices in mass communication research with respect to message experiment design, analysis, and interference. Provides a logically consistent framework for mass communication researchers to make experimental design and data analysis decisions. (PRA)

Argues not only that critical and traditional social scientific theory have different moral stances but also that they take different approaches to generating knowledge claims. (SR)

Because of the importance of single-subject studies in mental retardation research, a meta-analysis of the literature examining interrater agreement for visual analysis of single-subject data was conducted. Analysis revealed an overall itinerant agreement value of 0.58 for 14 studies representing 789 raters. Effects of data type, design type,…

Argues that the concept of subjective theory and the corresponding methodology have considerable potential for second-language research in terms of building adequate models of second-language learning, teaching, and production; developing adequate methodology to analyze the mental processes underlying second-language learning, teaching, and…

Problems in selection of optimal designs in item-response theory (IRT) models are resolved through a sequential design procedure that is a modification of the D-optimality procedure proposed by Wynn (1970). This algorithm leads to consistent estimates, and the errors in selecting the abilities generally do not greatly affect optimality. (SLD)

Provides advice on conducting focus-group research in institutions of higher learning based on experiences with groups of university business-school students. Lists and discusses steps in focus group research, including determining research questions, determining sampling frames, selecting moderators, developing a discussion guide, recruiting…

Suggests two complementary frameworks for providing validity evidence for rating data. One conceptualizes raters as data collection instruments that should be subject to traditional procedures for establishing validity evidence; the other evaluates studies using raters from an experimental design perspective allowing the assessment of the study's…