Discussion of the decision-making role of the librarian covers pertinent planning activities, i.e., systematically analyzing problem, reviewing literature, gathering and analyzing data, and assessing positive aspects of implementing new knowledge so gained. Knowledge of the research process, replicating research, and assuming the responsibility of…

Discusses a survey conducted at Miami-Dade Community College to document the characteristics, needs, and knowledge of library users, and explains how the survey became an essential tool for decision making by community college library administrators regarding the elimination or initiation of programs and services. Describes the study and its…

Since 1978, basic research on bilingual education in Mexico has prevailed, especially related to Indian languages. Action research has also been more fruitful than in the past. The few objective evaluations conducted have been notable for the publication of a wide range of results. (Author/BW)

The laboratory method has institutionalized itself in the larger social system, and an investigation of how this came about provides an important case study of social intervention. Uses of the method's intrinsic "change-agent" concept are illustrated, and particular aspects of the growth of the movement are examined. (Author)

For the past two and a half years, Research for Action (RFA) worked with student members of Youth United for Change (YUC) and Philadelphia Student Union (PSU). Over that time, these young people have committed themselves to learning social science research methods and conducted a study of their changing schools. Their motivation to be youth…

Serving as a vehicle for raising the profile of and thereby gaining recognition for the important research and development work being conducted in Canada in support of children and families, the "Research Connections Canada" series compiles research and/or development papers as well as background papers, analytical literature reviews,…

This report describes a program for improving students' attitudes toward reading. The targeted population consisted of second and third grade students in a growing middle class community. The problem of the lack of interest in reading and the poor quality of classroom work were evident in parent and student surveys, and teacher observations.…

This report describes a program designed to develop positive attitudes toward reading and to improve achievement in third and fourth grade students in two Midwestern communities. Teachers' observations and conversations with parents and students indicated students did not receive essential reading practice time to improve skills. Analysis of…

This report describes a program for instructing students in the writing process in order to improve their overall writing skills. The targeted population consisted of fourth and fifth grade students in a growing upper middle class community, located in northern Illinois. The writing problems of the students were documented through data revealing…

Data based instruction reflects the teachers implementation of a carefully planned system of instruction for a selected learner. The purpose is to provide documentation of the effect of instruction implemented for learner(s) with special needs; evaluate the effect of using specific instructional organization and delivery systems; perform an…

This report is the final report for the research review on pupils' experiences and perspectives of the curriculum, carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) on behalf of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). It draws together the work from the full six years of this project, which spans literature from…

This agenda highlights the Consortium on Chicago School Research' priorities for Chicago school research during the 2004 to 2008 period, including both the continuation of current research and new explorations. This proposed research intends to assist CPS leadership, local schools, and the education reform community with evidence-based results…

This paper describes a program for minimizing students' inability to relate present day school mathematics to real-world experiences, including the high-tech communities around them. The targeted population consisted of second grade elementary students in a growing middle class community located in a suburb of a large metropolitan area in the…

School-based outdoor and experiential programs face an increasing demand from outside interests for research-based accountability. This paper suggests that both research and practice are strengthened by researcher-practitioner partnerships and by practitioners conducting their own research. Three modest qualitative research designs are explored as…

This action research project implemented strategies for effectively promoting attitude and values to elicit good character in children. The targeted population consisted of first and third grade students in three schools in a middle class community in northern Illinois. The lack of respect and poor moral values contributed to the data that are…