Analysis of 348 articles from the Journal of Agricultural Education 1990-1999 showed that 83.3% used quantitative, applied survey research. Only 29% cited appropriate theoretical frameworks, 87% cited conceptual frameworks. They often cited limited references in establishing a framework and failed to relate findings to frameworks. (Contains 25…

In a randomized 2x2 study, 174 managers and students read one of four scenarios with one of two posttraining transfer interventions (relapse prevention, supervisor support training) and information types (utility analysis, research). They showed no preference for adopting either intervention to increase staff productivity. Research information was…

Describes a workshop on quality criteria for research papers in science education. The aim of the workshop was to improve the ability of participants in writing papers for research in science education journals. Reports the activities and outcomes of the workshop including its concise evaluation and some suggestions for manuscript improvement.…

Investigated whether two editorial policies concerning the reporting of statistical information would affect readers' perceptions of research results in 4 experiments involving 194, 89, 78, and 69 undergraduate and graduate students. Results show that undergraduates were more likely to perceive research to be important when effect sizes were…

Offers reflections on the peer review process, the errors of some reviewers and editors, and recommendations to improve peer review that will increase the quality of science. Discusses issues of review process, the primacy of research results, and the responsibilities of editors. (SLD)

This paper makes the point that descriptive and inferential measures of nonnormality and graphic displays of the frequency distribution of important variables should be routine in research reporting. This point is particularly true for research involving measures with nonarbitrary metrics where the distribution shape is unaffected by measurement…

Discusses how such terms as "strategies,""filter," and "networks" have been used differently in writing about language research, and highlights the ambiguities and complexities that result from specialized terminology. (31 references) (CB)

Reviews 27 published empirical research articles from 1973-1987 which discuss the implementation and evaluation of theory-based student development intervention programs. Claims while findings show that some student development programs have a positive effect, the total amount of empirical research is meager. (Author)

Presents a manual of techniques addressed to the scientist who has done intrinsically interesting research and is about to present it orally to a scientific audience. (MKR)

Student plagiarism is partly the result of a faulty behaviorist model of the research process and unwitting encouragement by teachers. Middle-school teachers can improve the situation by assigning meaningful research topics, building background knowledge, keeping topic selection open, providing easy source texts, suggesting data-organization tips,…

A model of self-regulated learning is proposed as a structure for analyzing cognitive processes involved in self-regulation and for interpreting findings from disparate research traditions. The model is used to examine recent research on how feedback affects cognitive engagement with tasks and the relationship between engagement and achievement.…

A simple way to assess the statistical power of experimental designs, based on the concept of a minimum detectable effect, is described. How to compute minimum detectable effects and how to apply the method of assessment of alternative experimental designs are illustrated. (SLD)

A report from the Council for Learning Disabilities Research Committee is presented on standards for the descriptions of people with learning disabilities in research reports. Updated guidelines for describing participants are provided for small-sample and large-group research. Suggestions are made for promoting compliance with the minimum…

This study demonstrates that the number of references at the end of scientific research papers forms a strongly unimodal frequency distribution and that the generalized Gaussian-Poisson distribution fits such unimodal data extremely well. (three references) (Author/MES)

Some effects of copper and lead salt ions on the freshwater triclad, "Polycelis felina," are investigated in terms of locomotion behavior and survivability. Both the importance and the potential protective role of mucus secretion, which is a by-product of flatworm locomotion, are assessed. (Author/JJK)