Discusses use of focus groups as qualitative research methodology and as reflection tool in service learning. Three focus groups at Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) assessed cognitive outcomes of service-learning and encouraged students' reflection on their experience. Focus group data were triangulated with survey data to assess validity of…

Explores what focus groups are, how they have been utilized by researchers, and some of the practical and theoretical implications for incorporating focus groups in the design of educational research. Includes verbatim transcripts from interviews and specific examples of various focus groups. (MJP)

Deconstructs case studies of parents' and teachers' experiences as children started child care. Argues that mothers and teachers defined their roles against the background of dominant societal discourses about motherhood and early childhood teaching. However, while teachers spoke about themselves as less powerful than mothers in influencing…

Describes a qualitative study of the research and teaching habits of early adopters of electronic journals that was conducted at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Discusses perceptions, expectations, and changing practices pertaining to electronic journals and other electronic resources, focusing on shared behaviors and values and…

Explored students' perceptions of learning experiences in an online and a face-to-face section of the same university course. Qualitative data from students and the instructor showed the importance of peer interaction and cooperative learning environments; difficulties and benefits of Web-based instruction; and the importance of the affective…

Analyzes a bi-national survey about teachers' beliefs surrounding puberty; adolescent rebellious attitudes, and academics. Finds significant difference between Japanese and U.S. teachers. Explains teachers' impact on students shows cultural differences and cross-national trends. Discusses survey results in light of qualitative studies of Japanese…

There is no right way to forecast college enrollments; in many instances, it will be prudent to use both qualitative and quantitative methods. Methods chosen must be relevant to questions addressed, policies and decisions at stake, and time and talent required. While it is tempting to start quickly, enrollment forecasting is an area in which…

This 2-year qualitative research study examined the decisions teachers (n=32) made about their teaching practices in an inclusive elementary school. Findings indicate the individual school community mutually negotiated a common definition of inclusion that was fundamentally grounded in students' active participation in classroom settings.…

Comparative case study of factors related to operation of school-level financial management in five UK community/foundation schools and five US charter schools. Uses on-site interviews with UK head teachers and bursars and US directors and business officials. Explores four themes and related conclusions: control, evolution, shared leadership, and…

This study observed the different ways in which 11 child care teachers constructed "teaching" in a high-quality program that included children with disabilities. Qualitative analysis revealed that teaching could be conceptualized as comprising four contexts consisting of a range of behaviors, practices, or beliefs about teaching: environmental,…

Reports on an exploratory study examining the conditions that contribute to the frequency with which social studies teachers use groupwork. Uses both quantitative and qualitative methods. Finds that the factors contributing to use of groupwork are school and classroom factors, and teaching objectives. (SLM)

Presented is a case study of a Science/Technology/Society course. Described are the specific goals and objectives of the course and the design of the study. The results of the study and the validity and transferability of this type of assessment are discussed. (CW)

Compares a discussion of class and gender by English upper-class girls with girls from lower-class families. Found both shared a perception of the problems of girlhood; but unlike the students from the comprehensive schools, upper-class females were uncomfortable with feminist theory. Analyzes the differences as discursive. (NL)

Describes four mathematics teachers' classroom discussions with small groups in their first year secondary (11-12 years old) classrooms. Analyzes interview results from one student in each group. Topic of the classroom was division of fractions. (YP)

Reviews the seven papers presented at a symposium entitled "Perennial Issues in Qualitative Research," part of the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (San Francisco, California, 1986), and included in this issue. Discusses the demonstrated usefulness of qualitative methods in educational research, and also…