This qualitative and interpretive study of the normalization effort for individuals with mental retardation in Sweden analyzes the cultural context; legislation, jurisdictional considerations, and societal attitudes; potential barriers to integration; and the economics of service provision. Sweden's system of comprehensive service and support…

A study documented 10 college students' understanding of the limit concept and the factors affecting changes in that understanding. Encouragement by the researchers for the students to change their common informal models of limit to more formal conceptions were met with extreme resistance. (Author/JJK)

Argues that sociology's future is bright. Cites the field's younger, more diverse professoriate; the more qualitative, critical research that will result from reduced educational funding; and opportunities provided by global change. Suggests that the post-Cold War era, ecological crises, and economic transformation will present challenges to…

This article provides an analysis of data collected in a study of six teachers reflecting upon their evaluation practices as they contemplated implementing a Science-Technology-Society (STS) curriculum. Authors conclude that teacher evaluation methods are dependent upon personal understandings of the assessment process developed from teaching…

Discusses ways that researchers in higher education may gain access to and collect quality data about teacher thinking and practice, proposing roles and relationships for researchers conducting qualitative research in which they may be consultants and in which affective, human-relating skills are as important as traditional technical research…

Reviews of multivocal literature are assessments of what can be learned from a given body of literature and assessments of the claims on which that knowledge is based. Methodological rigor is less likely to be a problem in such reviews than is lack of independent judgment. (SLD)

Suggests a method for translating graduate education in qualitative methods into undergraduate teaching. Focuses on intensive interviewing and its benefits for both graduate students and for undergraduate teaching as a means of bringing the subject into the real world. Discusses planning the interview assignment, developing interview questions,…

University professor addresses issues that can inhibit or distort collaborative qualitative research. The article looks at issues of power and authority in collaborative research in a teacher researcher group involving five classroom teachers and the professor. (SM)

Posits that a "democratic approach" to defining and evaluating educational quality is necessary, since the concept of quality itself is heavily subjective and value based, and that educational evaluation is best achieved through the involvement of all participants, including practitioners, parents, and children. (MDM)

Reviews the recent growth of interest in qualitative geography. Discusses whether or not qualitative research can be accepted on the same scholarly level as quantitative research. Contends that qualitative methodology has much to offer geography and geography instruction. (CFR)

Diary studies in language teaching are first-person case studies in which the diarist-researcher investigates his/her own language learning or teaching through by recording personal observations. A diary study of a teacher of English for Academic Purposes II is described, including data collection, procedures, and problems. (10 references) (LB)

In this qualitative study, 43 Black undergraduates (65 percent females) were interviewed and asked to describe the bases of academic success, particularly success by Blacks within predominantly White institutions. Subjects' responses indicate the importance of including beliefs about how one is perceived by others in taxonomies of…

Explores limits of quantitative research methods and introduces qualitative approach, focus groups, as alternative information-collection tool for student personnel administrators. Presents two research projects where focus groups were used. Maintains that focus group approach has several advantages, including cost effectiveness, emphasis on…

Examines the experiences of five female physical education teacher educators in their first positions as assistant professors in research-oriented universities. Data were collected using primarily qualitative methods. All participants reported experiencing role ambiguity and stress. (GLR)

Describes a qualitative research study of innovative instructors who use the Internet to deliver college courses. Topics include teacher motivation, problems encountered, philosophies toward teaching and learning, learning environments, and recommendations for other instructors beginning to use the Internet for instructional purposes. (LRW)