This article examines historical styles of research conducted around the construct of gifted underachievement. It then explores possibilities of implementing alternative approaches and theoretical arguments in practical applications in this area. It discusses ethnographic narratives, deliberative hermeneutic research, aesthetic research,…

Describes the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Children 5-16 Research Programme, a 5-year project which examined contemporary childhood in the United Kingdom, including aspects of social lives, living conditions, experiences, and perspectives. Notes specific research aims: to develop new knowledge about children as social actors, to…

This article presents research-based examples of effective instructional approaches for improving the quality of stories and essays written by students with learning disabilities. A common goal of the studies examined was to teach students how to organize writing tasks, generate ideas about the writing topics, and produce final written products…

Results are presented from a study that implemented and assessed the effectiveness of a research-based model for training preservice secondary teaching trainees (N=97) in a complex teaching skill: clarity of explanation. Extensive discussion is presented on the study design and implementation. (IAH)

The problem of the appropriate comparison group for bereavement studies is discussed. The use of the retrospective pretest design is illustrated through a longitudinal study of bereavement outcome following pregnancy loss, involving 138 bereaved women and a comparison group of 215 currently pregnant women. (SLD)

The role of the teacher as researcher is related to key themes in the literature on action research. Current issues facing teachers involved in research into their own practice are highlighted. The pressure of accountability placed on teachers is discussed in the context of teacher research. (IAH)

Major factors beyond a teacher's control that can influence teacher effectiveness are identified as sources of invalidity related to the inference of teacher effectiveness from students' achievement gains. These factors include: (1) student characteristics; (2) school characteristics; (3) test validity; and (4) pretest-posttest design…

A consideration of ethics is necessary in the development of guidelines for conducting and reporting research. A brief description of the history of ethical guidelines in research is presented followed by suggestions for development of ethical guidelines, both those that can be legislated and those that cannot. (SI)

Examines traditional categories of information/communication system users. Argues that these categories lead to a view of communication systems that make "haves" and "have-nots" inevitable. Describes several alternative communication-based user categories that view users as actors within the information system. (SR)

Points out inadequacies in the numeric data set that accompanied the Supplementary Empirical Teaching Units in Political Science (SETUPS) monograph on the U.S. Supreme Court. Suggests that the data not be used for research purposes but notes they may be utilized as a teaching tool in discussing quantitative methods of analysis relative to Supreme…

Reviews the Peruvian Rural Communication Services (PRCS) Project and outlines selected findings. Topics discussed include a brief description of Peru's economic and social conditions; satellite communication systems; audio teleconferencing; telephone service; planning and administration; research design features; data collection; and project…

Reflects on one person's efforts to develop a collaborative action research methodology for evaluating professional development. Focuses on the development of an inside methodology for teachers. Sets out a range of issues and identifies some tentative principles of procedure. (CFR)

Reviews key ideas of action research in the past 15 years, particularly those of John Elliott. Describes and comments on the main characteristics of action research. Focuses on methodological and epistemological issues related to its practice. (CFR)

The conceptual and technical problems that need to be considered when studying graduate student retention and degree progress are examined, and practical suggestions for the institutional researcher are offered. Terms are defined, retention measures are explained, and different types of analysis are outlined. Ideas are given for database…

This analysis describes some of the general features of art and goes on to look at what the artistic treatment of research entails. Artistically crafted research that includes coherence, imagery, and particularity can help to explain what is important about schools. Further, the education of teachers should be regarded as the education of artists.…