Ethnographic qualitative assessment methods can be used to evaluate gifted programs. Noted are the use of multiple tools in fieldwork, allowing an extended time span, the research as the research instrument, ethnographics research cycle, and use of both macro and micro approaches to the evaluation product. (Author/CB)

Discusses the basic character of qualitative, humanistic research, identifying its philosophical and theoretical commitments. Provides a taxonomy of investigative strategies employed, including naturalistic inquiry, contextualization, maximized comparisons, sensitizing concepts, and analytic induction. Classifies methods employed as participant…

Presents the computer program SEPARATE.BAS. and discusses how the use of microcomputer technology for processing textual data offers increased capabilities for the qualitative researcher in speech communication. Discusses how SEPARATE.BAS. assists in the research task of dividing transcripts of interviews or discussions into separate text files…

Discusses the relevance of the anthropological or ethnographic approach to journalism. Suggests ways that an appreciation of this methodology can help journalism students become more effective and perceptive in their future careers by nudging them out of the commonsense work perspective and requiring greater empathy and involvement with sources.…

The critical incident technique is an exploratory qualitative method of research which generates a comprehensive and detailed description of a content domain. It consists of asking eyewitness observers for factual accounts of behaviors (incidents) which signficantly contribute to a specified outcome (are critical). This paper illustrates how to do…

Reports the results of a pilot study which sought to determine whether research techniques associated with personal construct theory could be used with teachers and students to increase their awareness of sex-role stereotyping. States that this goal was achieved and recommends further use of this approach on specific sex-role stereotyping issues.…

A multifaceted study using both qualitative and quantitative methods examined the expectations of college life of first-time freshmen and then checked 4 years later at their graduation to determine how well they felt those expectations were met. Incoming freshmen wrote an essay detailing expectations, and shortly before graduation wrote another…

This chapter presents the following discussions on the issues of interpretive research: (1) finding quality criteria that pertain to the quality of interpretive research; (2) determining authenticity criteria for interpretive research; and (3) and providing an example of the procedures employed and the outcomes of an intensive interpretive study…

A qualitative study explored the influences of life and family histories on high school teachers' beliefs about U.S. history. Drawing on data gathered through surveys and in-depth interviews, this paper argues that personal knowledge acts as a lens through which teachers see and project subject matter in U.S. history. Inquiring into life history…

A study was designed to explore spiritual teachers of art and to illuminate the characteristics they share. A spiritual artist/teacher is defined as one who exhibits a deep involvement with aesthetic experiences which are personal, sustained, and purposeful. This research focused on data from in-depth interviews with higher education art…

This paper reports ongoing research investigating how students' experiences with the notion of tangent line in different lecture courses at a technical school are being integrated to the related mathematical concept. Focusing on a technical course case study, we examine how aspects of the notion of tangent line are related to features of the…

This study investigated factors that promote and inhibit the academic success of elementary African American males in grades 3 through 6 in a rural school in Mississippi. The qualitative study analyzed interview data gathered in 6 face-to-face interviews with 16 African American males over a 3-month period in the 2002-2003 academic year. All…

For children to understand history, they need to be able to see the world through the eyes of its participants, and to understand that there are multiple perspectives on the past. This paper focuses on relating theory to practice in history and social studies teaching and curriculum design, emphasizing that historical perspective-taking and…

As part of the revised method for quality assurance in higher education in England, a Task Group was established to identify the categories of data, information, and judgments about quality and standards of teaching and learning that should be available within higher education institutions (HEIs), and those that should be published. The Task Group…

The literature has noted that some mathematical analogs are more effective than others for the teaching of fractions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of seven mathematical analogs commonly used in the teaching of the partitive quotient fraction construct. A sample of twelve purposively selected Year Three children were presented with…