Discusses student-teachers' awareness of research and its potential role in their work as teachers, both as methodology for themselves as practicing researchers-in-action and as material developed by others. Some of the influences that led to the rise of the "teachers as researchers" program are included. (KR)

Performed meta-analysis upon eight California school-based risk reduction programs designed to deter fourth through eighth grade students from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Found that information-focused interventions had more impact upon knowledge but less upon attitudes and behavior whereas alternative interventions had less…

Questions past educational research and its effect on policy making and educational practice. Asks whether education is a scholarly pursuit, science, or art. Expresses concern that instruction of educational methods has a detrimental effect on knowledge of the field. Claims actual classroom teaching must be guided by research, a body of…

The methodology associated with the California Study of Elementary Mathematics is examined. The article includes an overview of state policy and a description of participants and data collection procedures at the state, school district, school, and classroom levels, including methods used to collect data for development of case studies. (TJH)

Explores the impact of classroom environment on curriculum implementation. Provides historical background for this area of study, describes instruments for assessing prosocial behavior, and examines studies of teacher and student perception of classroom environment. Reports on two studies that combine qualitative and quantitative methods, and…

Presents findings of a preliminary review of research literature on learners and learning in distance education. Comparative analyses of distance education methods and research on student outcomes are highlighted, including students' reasons for dropout or persistence, student profiles, and the impact of institutional interventions on student…

This discussion of research methodologies and performance prediction in business simulations describes a study of undergraduates that considered time in the prediction of simulation performance, and explored how relationships between performance and its antecedents vary over the simulation's duration. Hypotheses tested are explained and results of…

Presents a procedure for analyzing statistical data involving distributions that is more informative about causal and other relationships. Finds test scores were affected positively by increased time on task, teachers with higher educational attainment, and better school facilities. (CFR)

Five research principles are proposed to increase the utility of studies of college student culture: attempting to discover how group membership mediates member behavior and contributes to valued outcomes of college; using best practices of qualitative research; using flexible cognitive frameworks when collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data;…

Four kinds of resources for the study of graduate student progress and retention are outlined: general information on the history of and issues in graduate education; methods, strategies, and techniques for conducting research; information on specific policy issues; and organizations offering publications and advice. (MSE)

Compares the effects of two visual advance organizers on comprehension and retention of a written passage in a FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) Program: (1) "Video" and (2) "Pictures + Teacher Narrative". Investigators randomly assigned 62 students to 1 one of 2 conditions. "Video" was the more effective organizer of the two. (23…

In the context of school-university partnerships, action research takes on the qualities of collaborative inquiry for achieving partnership. The article describes one partnership project, explaining the importance of action research and examining two studies conducted by school practitioners and college personnel that show the power of action…

Examines the limitations of traditional transfer rate indicators, suggesting that their use as measures of institutional effectiveness is inappropriate. Reviews methodologies of two national transfer rate models in terms of the importance of time frames for transfer, minimum credit hour thresholds, curriculum intent, and student intent. Recommends…

Asserts that current technology makes it possible to administer organizational surveys by using computers. Describes processes of conducting a computer-administered survey. Finds that respondents who complete computer surveys find them more interesting and seem to be more aware of their thoughts and feelings while completing them. (CFR)

This article describes action-oriented teacher research in which teachers use information students reveal about the competent aspects of their lives as learners to direct their teaching efforts. The article notes methodological considerations of this approach and applications to the study of special education. (Author/DB)