Applied research, as compared to basic nonapplied research, offers the potential for the development of unique insights into the nature of social theory. Cultural deprivation theorizing is used to illustrate the interplay between research and theory. (Author/CTM)

The quality of research on groups has been notoriously poor. This article is an attempt to respond to the research and evaluation deficit by providing some methodological approaches that might encourage group researchers and practitioners to attempt high quality research. (Author)

In a descriptive analysis of behavior management research with mentally retarded persons, data from 56 studies within a recent 5-year period is presented in four tables. (CL)

Available from: Arthur Retlaw and Associates, Inc., Suite 2080, 1603 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. Described is a study in which a large sample of children (n=444) with phenylketonuria (an inborn metabolic error usually related to impaired cognitive ability) were treated under controlled conditions from near birth to 6 years of age.…

Research hypotheses versus statistical hypotheses, null hypotheses and alternative hypotheses, and statistical significance versus practical significance are described and illustrated. (CP)

Analyzes 46 medical research papers on the effects of innovative versus standard surgical procedures on the health of patients. Results reveal that innovations generally reduce complications. The ethics of experimental surgery are also discussed. (CP)

Attempts to bridge the gap between psychological theory and implementation, with specific reference to the learning of color concepts in an art education program. Focuses on curiosity as a potentially valuable motivational resource in the classroom. (Author/RK)

Improvement in the research climate in children's librarianship is needed. There must be a determined demand for research, financial and job support for researchers, improvement in the research techniques for studying children, and implementation of actual research projects. Particular concerns include research on reading, school/public library…

This article presents lessons learned from an innovative employment and training program for dislocated workers. It provides specific information about program design and serves as a prototype for how social experimentation can be used by state and local governments. (Author/LMO)

The developmental pattern of concurrent synaptogenesis in rhesus monkeys is consistent with a straightforward model of relations between brain and cognitive development. Concurrent synaptogenesis is hypothesized to lay the primary cortical foundation for a series of developmental levels in middle infancy that have been empirically documented in…

This study evaluated the quality of educational research articles published in 1983. One hundred seventy-eight judges randomly selected from Division D of the American Educational Research Association evaluated 128 articles from 38 journals. Methodology and results are discussed and analyzed. (Author/JL)

Outlines a history of psychology course in which research design and methodology are introduced in a historical context. Describes course texts and experimental projects in which students ask research questions that are appropriate to a particular historical figure or theorist. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of teaching the course in this…

The purposes of evaluation design are stated. A description of experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, and naturalistic designs is presented. Emphasis is placed upon the identification of sources of invalidity in these designs that may compromise the accuracy of inferences regarding program effectiveness. (Author/JAZ)

Outlines some strategies that students can follow when beginning a research assignment, especially useful when they are new to the process of research. Draws parallels between some characteristics of group conversations and research, such as originality of conversation and originality of writing/research. (NKA)

Presents S. Jackson's and S. Jacobs' theory of conversational argument and demonstrates flaws in the representational validity of their research from the perspective of face-to-face interaction. Describes characteristics of a "paradigm case" of interactional argument that extends Jackson's and Jacobs' ideas about argumentation in…