A description of the background, objectives, design, and intended products of the Vocational Education Equity Study, a federal effort, conducted by the American Institutes for Research, intended to assess sex discrimination and sex stereotyping in vocational education at all educational levels. (SJL)

Through the use of a multielement design, a procedure incorporating response-contingent music was demonstrated to be effective in increasing upright head positioning for six profoundly retarded, multihandicapped students (14-19 years old). (CL)

Summarizes the results of a statewide economic impact analysis of Maryland's 17 community colleges which revealed that expenditures had positive short-range and long-range impacts on the state economy in the areas of business, general employment, and increased student earning potential. Presents suggestions for conducting impact studies. (MB)

In order to provide the type of data necessary for sex education program implementation, a two-part study was undertaken by the authors, with the cooperation of the Planned Parenthood League, to explore teen knowledge of contraception, abortion, reproduction, and venereal disease, and to ascertain whether education in these areas results in…

This paper calls into question prevailing approaches to educational research (contrived experiments) and proposes a new perspective in method, theory, and substance (natural experiments). (MM)

A literature review reveals that criticisms of agricultural education research have been similar for 40 years. Six recommendations are offered to improve the quality and quantity of such research. The first recommendation, that most faculty members be responsible for a research program, is buttressed by a list of five advantages. (AJ)

Results of this study of eight liberal arts colleges, traditionally women's colleges, suggest that multiple-discriminant analysis provides a rigorous and practical basis for adding an important and largely unexplored between-group dimension to studies in the prediction of within-group performance. (Editor/LBH)

Describes a kinetic simulation computer program that generates experimental data for use in an instructional program on the design of experiments and the analysis of results. (MLH)

Asserts that graduate training, as well as the policies of journals and granting agencies, supports an approach to research that promotes scientific understanding but does not produce effective clinical treatment. (Author/JM)

The seven chapters of this volume review current design and use of performance measurement in public and nonprofit programs. The contexts surrounding design and implementation of performance measurement systems and best practices are discussed, and examples of the use of performance measurement in government and the nonprofit sector are presented.…

This article provides a case study of the use of emergent design, which asks evaluators to adapt their inquiry processes as understanding develops, in the evaluation of a family support program, tracing the emergence of evaluation procedures through three phases. Two phases produced data that policymakers found very helpful. (SLD)

From case study articles drawn from four journals in gifted education, two are identified as exemplars of qualitative case study research. The works of Coleman (2001) and Hebert and Beardsley (2001) are used to illustrate how researchers can plan qualitative case studies so that the perspectives of gifted students are included. (Contains…

Presents the author's views on the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Discusses the meaning of the terms intervention, remediation, tutoring, and accommodations; addresses optimal characteristics of intervention research; and examines ethical issues, research design, measurement of change, and barriers to conducting…

Presents the author's views concerning the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Examines distinctions between intervention, remediation, tutoring, and accommodations. Examines the differences from regular classroom instruction along with the optimal characteristics of intervention research. Discusses ethical issues,…

Presents the author's views on the questions posed by the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Discusses the influence of two primary concepts, change and interaction, on children's development in terms of educational intervention. Also considers ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change. (DB)