Examines the historical and conceptual foundations of friendship research. Areas addressed include functions of friendship, study of peer relations and peer systems, associated methodological and measurement challenges, and the study of friendship today. The discussion is framed around the "Harry Potter" (by J. K. Rowling) phenomena. (SD)

This study compared 4 methods (2 case history and 2 performance-based) used to classify the status of adult subjects in familial studies of developmental language disorders, involving 24 parents of children with developmental language disorders and 24 unrelated adult controls. Classification by case history found fewer affected adults than…

Discusses results of a survey of special librarians that investigated research knowledge and activities. Topics include formal and informal training in research methodology; continuing education; barriers to research, including a lack of institutional support; and the disinterest in and lack of understanding about research and its relevance to…

Response of colleges and universities to surveys from publishers of college guides and popular newsstand magazines is discussed, and considerations in developing a standard survey response are explored. These include the advantages and limitations of standardized information formats, how much of the information reaches prospective students, how…

A questionnaire was completed by 510 special education teachers in 3 school districts, revealing that teachers' attitudes toward both research and instructional analysis were positive. Significant relationships were found between teachers' attitudes and the research methods courses they had taken, their involvement in research, and their earned…

This paper reports on findings of the first of a series of cross-sectional surveys to evaluate a community-based child abuse prevention initiative in Boston (Massachusetts). The survey assessed social support, attitudes about parenting, perceptions of the neighborhood, and ways in which these relate to child abuse. (Author/DB)

A discussion of misconduct in scientific research looks at the roles of several segments of the scientific community (federal government, universities, scholarly journals, and individual scientists) in exercising control of misconduct. Limitations of their roles and overall implications for policy are examined. (MSE)

Presents an action framework for population education in four sections: (1) policies, programming, and institutional coordination; (2) conceptualization and content at different levels of education; (3) strategies for the development of educational action; and (4) logistic support activities. Foresees two levels of action: direct within the…

Presents one approach to handling the trade-off between reducing uncertainty in environmental assessment and management and additional expenses. Uses the approach in the evaluation of three alternatives for a real time river water quality forecasting system. Analysis of risk attitudes, costs and uncertainty indicated the levels of socioeconomic…

Discusses research (Tennessee Study of Class Size) that determined the effects of smaller class size in the earliest grades on short- and long-term pupil performance. The 4-year study assessed the performance of over 6,500 students who attended K-3 classrooms having differing numbers of students and found evidence of short- and long-term benefits…

Introduces workshop papers proposing research agendas based on the assumption that street children's public image hinders both research and program development. Argues that research emphasis should shift to analysis of children's relationship to the street environment; this approach, derived from social science research, entails innovative and…

Describes a collaborative writing project in which students must identify key variables, search and read relevant literature, and reason through a research idea by working closely with a partner. The end result is a polished laboratory report in the APA style. The class includes a peer review workshop prior to final editing. (MJP)

Presents a naturalistic perspective on inquiry as a compelling philosophy for educational administration. Naturalistic inquiry is ethical, open, growing, self-corrective, fallible, and resembles scientific inquiry. Subjectivism, neo-Marxist critical theory, postmodernism, and identity politics are all creatures of the times. Thriving on relativism…

Research on special education technology is reviewed, focusing on analytic research, systemic research, and the emergence of constructivism. Federal research projects on technology, sponsored by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), are discussed, and the use of specific methodologies is analyzed. OSEP projects funded under the…

Investigates the impact of the Internet on formal scholarly communication via examining the adoption of electronic vehicles in several classic natural and social science fields. Concludes that the Internet has affected almost all activities in formal scholarly communication with a wider impact in the natural sciences in general than in the social…