Discusses the international negotiations and cooperation involved in cross-national studies of academic achievement sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. Criticizes a previous article for its views of which research is and is not policy relevant; the relationship between between-country and…

Examines the paradox of case studies' abilities to understand the complexity in particular contexts while not being generalizable. Argues that the pressure for quantification and multisite case study design in policy research has weakened the original utility of the case study method for understanding complex educational phenomena. (DSK)

The definition of "orthographic neighbors" in word recognition research was analyzed in two experiments using a variety of the three-field technique. Only orthographically related pairs differing from the prime by the third or fourth letter showed inhibitory relatedness effects compared with unrelated word condition. Results suggest…

A Ph.D. course in ecological agriculture included a weeklong intensive workshop and individual research projects. The course demonstrated the usefulness of multiple approaches to learning research methods and perspectives and increased networking among researchers. (SK)

Focuses on ethical issues that can arise in the collection and analysis of data in evaluations. Addresses four issues: (1) the application of cost-benefit thinking to judgments about research ethics, (2) the quality of research design, (3) the need to explore the data, and (4) the censoring of data. (Author/SLD)

Describes Project STAR, the Tennessee class-size study, from the research design through study findings. Data collection for STAR students will continue through 1999, but early findings suggest that small class size in the early years of school continues to have beneficial impacts through the high school years. (SLD)

Addresses generalizability theory (GT), which offers a flexible framework for assessing dependability of measurement. GT allows for consideration of multiple sources of error, allowing investigators to assess the overall impact of measurement error. Illustrative analyses demonstrate the special advantages of GT for planning studies in which…

Applies Heidegger's hermeneutic circle to research in higher education, specifically use of the pilot study to experientially ground proposed research. Description of a pilot study on higher education leadership illustrates the principle. Implications for higher education research include the importance of (1) grounding research in practical…

This article contrasts the traditional relationships between researchers and subjects in traditional rehabilitation evaluation and research with relationships between researchers and clients-consumers in new methodologies. Collaborative research, characterized by shared power and non-hierarchical authority between client-consumers and researchers…

Considers some poststructuralist possibilities in researching everyday happenings at a primary school. Presents research methodologies from feminist theories that insist on a lack of traditional authority and seek the dislocation of mastery. Illustrates ethnography, data gathering, deconstructions, and research descriptions, as well as presenting…

Describes Q methodology, a technique that can be used to gain important insights on individuals' judgments, attitudes, and points of view on topics or situations that involve early intervention effectiveness issues. Specific steps involved in Q methodology are illustrated in a description of an early intervention efficacy study. (Author/CR)

Describes the IQ Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) project, an attempt to identify genes underlying IQ score variations using maps from the Human Genome Project. The essay argues against funding the IQ QTL project because it will end the debates about the genetic basis of intelligence and may lead directly to eugenic programs of genetic testing. (SLD)

Demonstrates how different experimental designs arise from variation of three basic distinctions: block versus treatment factors, fixed versus random factors, and crossed versus nested factors. Argues that understanding how these distinctions influence statistical analysis can reduce amount of experimental design. Presents an example of this by…

Explores the role of narrative-based research with ex-clients as a celebration and extension of the counseling process. Renegotiates issues of power and control, ethics, and safety in establishing research relationships in light of concerns about dual relationships in counseling. Reflects on these issues within the context of conducting a…

A statistical power algorithm based on the Fisher Z method is developed for cutoff-based random clinical trials and the single cutoff-point (regression-discontinuity) design that has no randomization. This article quantifies power and sample size estimates for various levels of power and cutoff-based assignment. (Author/SLD)