This study focused on the kinds of cognitive behaviors preschool and kindergarten children engage in while playing in a solitary, parallel, associative or cooperative manner. The effects of socio-economic status, developmental level, and the use of specific materials on social and cognitive levels of play are discussed. (BD)

Compared the Marital Interaction Coding System (MICS) and the Communication Skills Test (CST) to determine the similarities and differences in the assessment data obtained from these observational measures. Coded videotaped marital conflict-resolution discussions of married couples with both systems. Husband-wife and distressed and nondistressed…

Application of the natural science-technical research model to the study and development of teaching has had a distorting and disintegrating effect on education. Teachers must be encouraged to participate in the study and development of their profession, and learning environments must be studied singly and in their full context. (JC)

Concurrent use of two direct observation instruments (momentary time sample of task engagement and event recording of discrete student responses) were evaluated in six middle school resource rooms using either of two reading programs. Findings tended to be program specific with differences lost or diluted when data were combined across programs.…

Discusses the problem of evaluating school counselors, often seen as both teachers and administrators. Besides student outcomes, principals can consider several factors, including teacher-parent feedback, informal observations of counselors' presentations, and followup of student referrals. An inset briefly describes a College Board report with…

The supervisor's visit to the classroom includes more than observation. An important dynamic in the teacher's acceptance of the supervisor is permission for interpersonal access. Includes an analysis of interviews with 12 teachers on the subject. (MD)

The extent to which two trained observers agreed in coding infant communicative cues was examined in a study of 15 mothers and their 11-month-old infants whose handicaps ranged from mild to severe. Observers agreed on the occurrence of an infant cue less often when coding their more severely handicapped infants. (Author/JW)

Presents anecdotes from nursery school daily records which illustrate significant learning experience through cooperative work and play. Suggests that children process and learn information by playing with that information. (NH)

Computer-assisted observer training of 12 college students using interactive videotapes produced observational repertoires that accurately reflected a wide range of targeted events. Maintenance (thinning feedback) and nonmaintenance (no feedback) training generated equivalent degrees of observational accuracy. Data indicated the standard practice…

Contrasts effects of developmental characteristics of peer interaction partners on three preadolescent students with severe developmental disabilities observed while playing with (1) children of similar age and comparable diagnosis, (2) nondisabled children of similar age, and (3) chronologically younger but developmentally similar nondisabled…

This research identified easy-to-use maternal postpartum screening dimensions to predict two-month adjustment among 28 primipara adolescents. The results suggested several predictors: initial parenting attitudes, preparation for parenting, infant holding style, and aspects of social functioning. Postpartum risk screening may be a feasable way to…

Compared conversations of 101 two-hour meetings of long-term mothers' discussion groups, in informal and formal settings, regarding topics discussed and frequency of nonroutine conversation. Found discussion of parent and child topics decreased throughout the year in both settings, while conversations related to income, family, and self increased.…

A major source of confusion in educational research comes when qualitative research is regarded as if it were one approach. Qualitative research has many varieties that can be identified and understood by using the notion of research traditions. Six approaches from the social and behavioral sciences are compared. (VM)

Policy issues for early childhood special education programs in the areas of exit decision-making and follow-up procedures were generated through extensive naturalistic case studies of four early childhood education programs. Guidelines for exit decision-making and follow-up procedures conclude the report. (Author/DB)

Scientific inquiry used in special education research has limited effectiveness and applicability to practice. Three interrelated areas are discussed in the context of improving research methodology and utilization: alternative approaches to research in special education; the class distinction between teachers and researchers; and practical…