Discusses some uses of questionnaires and surveys in educational research. Describes different kinds of closed and open form questions, offers suggestions for finding questionnaires for use, and describes methods of data analysis. Includes practical suggestions for using questionnaires in the chemistry classroom. (PVD)

Presents the author's views concerning the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Considers ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change. Discusses the barriers to conducting intervention studies and methods for dissemination of the research findings. (DB)

Describes quasi-experimental designs to be used as alternatives to randomized controlled trials in decisions concerning clinical practice and policy-making in the child mental health field. Highlights importance of taking a systems-level approach to evaluation, and describes ways in which qualitative outcomes measures can be used to sensitively…

Discusses a comparative analysis of the "biggest problems question" used in both the 1996 Annual Gallup Poll of Public Education and a 1996 Houston-area district's five-year, strategic-planning survey. Although both groups identified some common concerns (discipline, drug abuse, violence, crime, and gangs), national poll respondents…

Describes the Inquiry "I" which is designed as a learning tool for scientific inquiry. Explains the steps of prior knowledge, logical argument, experimental design, procedure, data collection, data transformation, results, and new knowledge. Uses guided and open inquiry approaches. (YDS)

This article discusses how a focus group of seven individuals with Down syndrome was used to explore experiences of going to the doctor. Obtaining consent and acknowledging the power differential between participants and researchers are highlighted as key challenges for those wishing to engage in disability research. (Contains references.)…

This article explores the gene-finding process for developmental speech disorders (DSDs), specifically disorders of articulation/phonology and stuttering. It reviews existing behavioral genetic studies of these phenotypes, discusses roadblocks that may impede the molecular study of DSDs, and reviews the findings of the small number of molecular…

Discusses intelligent learning environments for computer-based learning, such as agent-based learning environments, and their advantages over human-based instruction. Considers the effects of multiple agents; agents and research design; the use of Multiple Intelligent Mentors Instructing Collaboratively (MIMIC) for instructional design for…

Provides information about single case experimental research methodologies, and delineates a rationale for their use in certain types of reading research. (MG)

This article discusses research design problems peculiar to work with intellectually disabled subjects, such as discrepancies in uses of control groups and mental age matching, definitions of subject groups and variability within and between subject groups. Suggestions for minimizing these problems are made and alternative methodologies offered.…

Argues that conceptualizations of and empirical studies on compliance and compliance-gaining often reflect a social exchange or a power perspective, which typically push communication into the background of the compliance-gaining process. Provides examples of studies adopting a power perspective without undercutting the role of communication in…

Examines the work of five researchers who have conducted studies of writing with computers or writing with computer-assisted instruction in the following areas: composing with word processing; writing improvement attributed to computers; instructional software; computer networks for writing; and collaborative writing through telecommunications.…

Studies (N=168) describing the use of behavioral interventions with behavior-disordered students were analyzed in terms of their reporting on four classes of marker variables: descriptive, substantive, topical, and background. Data showed that more thorough descriptions of research populations are required in the areas of selection criteria,…

Qualitative research has a limited role in the total research effort in sport pedagogy. This article discusses problems and limitations of qualitative research. Topics include trustworthiness of data, oversimplified comparisons between quantitative and qualitative research, and appropriate contexts for using qualitative research as the method of…

Describes a study that obtained assessments of the status of research in library and information science from leading researchers in the field. Five key issue areas affecting the status of research are identified and specific recommendations are offered to address these issues and improve the status of research in this area. (31 references)…