Three case studies illustrate problems in the identification of gifted students when tests are not used appropriately. The paper concludes that testing must occur within the context of intensive observations of and discussions with the child and family. The importance of all teachers receiving training in gifted education is stressed. (DB)

Presents investigations in which students are provided with a series of four mystery items related to cicadas. Observations and a class discussion follow each item. Contains basic information on doing experiments with live cicadas, specific assessment strategies for this activity, and facts about cicadas. (DDR)

Trained observers used the Standardized Observation Codes III to observe interactive patterns within the homes of 23 mother-child dyads in which the mother had physically abused the child and 24 similar dyads with no history of abuse. Among other findings, results indicated the great classificatory and predictive value of this measurement.…

Describes a study of college students that explored the effect of integrating metaphorical strategies in various graphic representations for learning biotechnology concepts. Highlights include student motivation, the use of a criterion-referenced test, and student attitudes as determined through interviews and observations. (Author/LRW)

Four boys (ages 5 to 12) with developmental disabilities and severe challenging behaviors were evaluated using two functional assessment procedures: different analog probe conditions, and direct classroom observation of the child's behavior, antecedents, and consequences. Results raised questions about the reliability and ecological validity of…

Examined the effects of two forms of organization of pretend play on children's behavior in the cognitive and affective domains as observed in a mixed-age environment: teacher-directed frontal play, with all children involved, and child-directed small group play. Found a significant increase in cognitive domain behavior during child-directed group…

Focuses on the qualitative methods used to examine a high school science teacher's instructional practice and his students' performance. Explains participation-observation, collection of field notes and documents, pre-post survey, interviews, and analysis of analytic memos; and discusses the teacher's goal of combining skills-based instruction…

Carries out a naturalistic small-scale study involving a class from a senior high school in Spain over two years. Analyzes students' essays on chemical change using text analysis techniques. Reports the development of four conceptual profiles and the implications of research for the process of teaching the concept of chemical change. (Author/KHR)

Presents a study focusing on the effect of a self-management intervention. Included self-recording and goal setting for the behavior of eight-year-old boys attending a large suburban primary school. Suggests that the intervention was socially valid and cost effective. Includes references. (CMK)

Describes a course designed to teach students qualitative methods and to engage them in collecting data and reflecting on the experiences of students at their college. Explains that during the semester course, students spent one month engaged in participant observation followed by one month conducting qualitative interviews. (DAJ)

Investigates the relationship between observational and checklist measures of vocabulary composition in preschool children. Results indicate that while the two measures are correlated, there are systematic quantitative differences between them, reflecting a combination of checklist, maternal-report and observational sampling biases. (22…

Observed six children of settled migrants on their first day in nursery school and again 12 weeks later, analyzing changes in their time-on-task. Found that the number of activities selected did not generally increase, but the time spent on sustained activities did, with this time period being significantly longer than those recorded in previous…

Construct validity of the Child Observation Record (COR) was examined with low-income urban preschoolers in two samples. Analyses yielded a three-dimensional structure: cognitive skills, social engagement, and coordinated movement. Cross-validation of this structure across gender and ethnic groups found evidence of validity for social engagement…

Examines the use of literate language, or a specific oral language register. Investigates the effect of peer collaboration and social context. Explains that seven- and eight-year-old children were placed in friend or non-friend groups and were observed during collaborative writing tasks. Includes references. (CMK)

Multiple socially grounded, user-centered methodologies are being employed in the Biological Information Browsing Environment (BIBE). This article integrates findings from interviews, participant observation, field observation, and focus groups to study the information needs and information seeking of groups of high school students conducting…