Factor scale scores are sometimes used as weights to create composite variables representing the variables included in a factor analysis. If these composite variables are then used to predict some dependent variable, serious theoretical and methodological problems arise. This paper explores these problems and suggests strategies for circumventing…

Discusses social science research and policy decisions in terms of a closely scrutinized RAND Corporation project for the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Describes the design process of the RAND proposal for desegregation research and critiques the style of social science associated with technical and theoryless empiricism. (RH)

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of subjects reading passages from the novel, "Under the Ribs of Death," by John Marlyn, and then being asked role exchange questions. Subjects were pre-tested with a dogmatism scale and post-tested with a measure of empathy. No significant treatment or interaction effects were found.…

Encourages holistic viewpoint in scientific research, particularly in the integration of isolated, short-range projects into ecosystems studies. Discusses links of the ecosystem level of research with the social sciences, assessment of technological and environmental impact, establishment of economic values, and political thought. (CS)

A review of the research on parent training programs for parents with intellectual disabilities found that, of 10 studies, 8 applied single-subject designs, two used quantitative methods, one examined basic child-care skills training, 2 examined decision making in child rearing, 5 were about safety, and 3 addressed the mother-child interaction.…

The self-selection problem in program evaluation is explored, and two ways of addressing it, covariate control approaches and two-stage sample selection models, are described. A longitudinal study of the effects of participation in Alcoholics Anonymous illustrates both approaches and shows the advantages of the two-step procedure. (SLD)

Distinguishes between "research methods" and "research methodology" in social science research, particularly in the field of comparative education. Discusses the influence of the researcher's theoretical orientation on his or her choice of methods for data collection and data analysis, and the importance of scholars outlining this…

Presents the conceptual, philosophical, and methodological basis for the "Procedural and Coding Manual for Review of Evidence-Based Interventions." Discusses key conceptual issues and areas of potential controversy surrounding the manual and the research framework for coding evidence-based interventions (EBIs). Presents methodological…

Advances debate on the causal mechanism involved in the link between marital conflict and children's development by addressing three issues: (1) identifying basic processes in emotion; (2) operationalizing theories in order to differentiate between their predictions; and (3) designing research to identify causal mechanisms. Asserts that Davies and…

Discusses a two-year action research study conducted at a high school that transformed reluctant students into lifelong readers by emphasizing intrinsic motivation as opposed to programs that use rewards to motivate students to read. Explains how to design an action research question. (LRW)

Describes an approach to multicultural social work research that is values based and process oriented. Such research is defined as a reflective and collaborative process. Several key challenges to and benefits of multicultural research are presented. Strategies are recommended to support the development of multicultural research. (RJM)

Describes a methodology for developing bibliometric performance indicators which provide a framework or paradigm for application-oriented research in the field of evaluation quantitative science and technology studies, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Aims at identifying characteristics of scholarly publications that reflect…

Describes some of the "big ideas" of Richard E. Snow about aptitude, person-situation transaction, and test validity. Also describes the design of a high school study undertaken to explore some of Snow's ideas further and introduces the articles of this special issue. (SLD)

This study examined the strength of evidence from single-subject research underlying the Council for Exceptional Children's Division of early Childhood Recommended Practices. A review of 184 articles (1990- 1998) found the literature provided positive, and in some cases very strong, evidence for the effectiveness of practices from the…