Analysis has become especially challenging as researchers become more aware of their positions as subjective participants as well as analysts of their own research projects. Four female researchers involved in a study of gender and literacy analyzed their own disclosures from the recent past, and found the concepts of subjectivity, transaction,…

This book offers an introduction for teachers, students, and other educational practitioners to the techniques that transform informal observation into a recognized research tool. It is intended for those with little or no experience with formal observation. Four chapters focus on: (1) "Observation as a Data-Gathering Technique" (how observation…

Isolated from other professionals, teachers and their practice are embedded within a hierarchical system in which the day-to-day activities are governed by external forces: administrative mandates, parental request, and currently, legislative directives. One issue facing teachers today and about which their voices are infrequently heard is that of…

This book gives step-by-step instructions on how to design, implement, and present an evaluation study for a museum or other settings for informal education, and it presents guidelines for studying the experiences of visitors in informal educational settings. The chapters are: (1) "Planning an Evaluation Project"; (2) "Informal…

Article presented a report of an investigation of adolescent group activity in a secondary school. (Author/RK)

Both observational techniques indicated similar findings in age-related behavior changes. Continuous-recording yielded a more molecular analysis and was concluded to be more desirable for collecting naturalistic observation data. (ST)

A laboratory analogue of naturalistic observation was used to examine the relationship of observer drift to instructional set and experimenter status. Results indicated a highly significant decrease in observer reliability coinciding with the shift from training to data collection. (ST)

Degree of organization in presenting stimuli, and training through modeling versus guided practice, were studied on a dial-reading concept using 144 third or fifth graders. (ST)

Research which is relevant to the study of creativity over the last century is reviewed and reasons are suggested for the upsurge and recession of interest in creativity. (Author)

The study demonstrated that teacher verbal disapproval can function as a positive social reinforcement for student inappropriate behavior. Thus, student behaviors thought to be punished are instead maintained or increased. A more appropriate method of dealing with misbehavior is presented. (ST)

Briefly describes the nature of comets, and in particular, discusses Comet Kohoutek, one of the most spectacular celestial phenomena of this century. (JR)

Conclusion is that it is not necessary to record the behavior of every pupil or an entire class in order to adequately measure a specific dimension of the classroom. Rather, observational efficiency can be attained through the utilization of sampling procedures for a given type of classroom situation. (Authors)

An approach for applying computer technology to teacher training and the study of teacher-pupil interactive behavior. (Author)

A method for the direct and continuous observation of behavior as it occurs in the natural environment (classroom) is suggested as an alternative to individual testing and other observational techniques. The method (behavior rates) using a base of movements per minute is seen as increasing the information obtained per unit of assessment time and…