Schools are awash in data, and teachers are being asked to gather data in a myriad of high-tech and low-tech ways. But gathering is not analyzing, and without analysis there is little reason to gather the data in the first place. Teachers need data-collection systems that lend themselves to rapid analysis and action. This article presents several…

A paradigm depicts research as a continuum along three major dimensions: utility--basic v applied; nature--theoretical v empirical; and causality--least v most experimental. (CP)

The notion of "qualitative confirmation" is explored in relation to processes and outcomes of qualitative research. The framework developed by S. Miller and M. Fredericks (1994) is applied to a published report of qualitative research into teacher and principal autonomy (S. Glass, 1997) to illustrate the usefulness of this framework for…

Performance theorist Herbert Blau's "The Audience" (Baltimore and London, Johns Hopkins Press, 1990) is an important yet neglected theoretical text on theatre audience. Deconstructive, dense and allusive in nature, Blau's text creates a real challenge for his reader. This paper presents a study of "The Audience" employing what I am calling…

A survey of software publishers, conducted during the summer of 1986, indicates how they are responding to school needs. Backups and protection, site licensing, networking, multiple loading, previewing, warranty policies, and other forms of support are among the topics discussed. (MNS)

Curriculum planning is presented as an ideological theory which is both a contributor to and instrument of social policy. A statement of theory is essential for discussions of core curriculum, and, more importantly, for clarifying the purpose of education within society (f=fiche number). (CP)

Influences are examined (home, school, and intra-personal) which are associated with early school leaving. A follow-up study reports the educational and occupational plans and attainments of early leavers. (Author/BW)

Discusses the validity of studies of Spanish pronunciation in terms of research methods employed. Topics include data collection in the laboratory vs. in a natural setting; recorded vs. non-recorded data; quality of the recording; aural analysis vs. spectrographic analysis; and transcriber reliability. Suggestions for improving data collection are…

Qualitative methods are used to analyze data about how Association of American Universities institutions responded to the Reserve Officer Training Corps policies excluding homosexuals between 1982 and 1992. Seven different positions universities took, from support for the policy through neutrality and challenge, are identified. (SLD)

Describes an experiment which compares the effectiveness of two key word techniques of vocabulary acquisition and gives the original 228-line program which was used. The program is written in BASIC to be run on Commodore CBM or PET machines with one disk drive. Eight references are listed. (MER)

This article suggests how traditional approaches to policy inquiry can be reconsidered in light of the research inquiry and communicative skills needed by all policy researchers. A 15-year review of both policy and discourse processes research suggests ways to conduct policy studies within a communicative framework. (Author/SLD)

Offers perspectives on the role of extrinsic factors in the aging process, the long-term consequences of extrinsically initiated changes, and implications for gerontological research. Explains the distinction between usual and successful aging in light of physiologic and psychosocial characteristics. (ML)

Discusses the development and assesses the value of historical works on radio news broadcasts during the 1930s. Examines two photograph collections from the Broadcast Pioneers Library, stating that they are an important resource in radio and television history that can be used for history teaching and research. Presents several of the photographs…

Implementation of the computer program in Eula, Texas, was divided into three stages: (1) focusing on computer literacy; (2) using the computer as a support tool; (3) and using computer assisted instruction to enhance basic skill learning. Results of use of the computer for learning mathematics are presented. (MNS)

The educational research literature suggests that student evaluation of faculty (SEF) infringes on instructional responsibilities of faculty by providing a control mechanism over curriculum, course content, grading, and teaching methodology. SEF also plays a role in attacks on tenure and is a threat to academic freedom. Commentary by Michael…