"Social Network Theory and Educational Change" offers a provocative and fascinating exploration of how social networks in schools can impede or facilitate the work of education reform. Drawing on the work of leading scholars, the book comprises a series of studies examining networks among teachers and school leaders, contrasting formal…

High-quality out-of-school-time (OST) programs have a positive effect on youth development, but many cities have found it difficult to address the challenges of expanding and improving the quality of programs offered to underserved and high-need students. In response, The Wallace Foundation sponsored an initiative to help five cities increase…

The purpose of this study was to examine and identify support service needs and preferences of distance learners studying at the Turkish Open Education System (OES). In order to fulfill this purpose, views and perceptions of OES students on importance and accessibility of student support services at the OES were investigated through a mixed-method…

The Nigerian Government and other stakeholders invest heavily in Education. The Education system should therefore be held accountable to be sure that value is being given to justify the financial investments and the period of time spent schooling. This is only possible through the process of quality control of the Education system and it is…

As a result of the generally low quality of child care in the United States and the increased emphasis on accountability in education policy, quality rating systems (QRSs) are proliferating in the child-care arena. QRSs assess child-care providers on multiple dimensions of quality and integrate these assessments into an easily understood summary…

The study was conducted in response to the need for an increased understanding of the aging experiences of women transitioning midlife. The purpose of the research was to explore the personal understanding of the changes that occur during the midlife period. A qualitative case study was implemented to ascertain how women of the Latter-day Saint…

This description of ways in which a microcomputer can enhance the process of conducting qualitative research uses a multiple site case study in education carried out during 1986-87 as an example (the study examined the mobilization and implementation stages of introducing microcomputers into a majority adopter school district). Specific…

Reference statistics were collected and analyzed for a three-year period from Fall 1975 to Summer 1976 at the Pennsylvania State University Main Undergraduate Library. Reference questions were classified and recorded in three categories: (1) search, (2) ready reference, and (3) directional. Hour of question, interlibrary loan, book, and telephone…

Modern technology has given us the ability to record, store, retrieve, and disseminate large volumes of data. Though technically efficient, such a procedure can be misused and thus constitute an invasion of privacy. Most school systems maintain extensive student records, but few have systematic policies regarding dissemination of such information.…

This book is intended to give teacher education students and practicing teachers an introduction to research methods and does so by following the procedures and results of a recent study. Chapter 1 discusses the research problem and the procedures for setting up a research design. Chapter 2 discusses the major stages of field work. Chapter 3…

Jurgen Habermas' theory relating to systems of action is used in an attempt to analyze the dynamic focus of home economics--the family--as a means of exploring the potential of the theory to promote understanding of family activities. (Author/CT)

This paper describes research conducted at the 2005 AHRD research conference. A qualitative case study is developed with the purpose of capturing new learning that occurs within the conference and how new learning is created. In support of the research, a three-pronged conceptual framework including communities of practice and learning…

The presentation of case study research in this book is based on a disciplined, qualitative inquiry into a single case, rather than quantitative methodologies or case studies for instructional purposes. Practical suggestions are given for gathering and organizing data and for data interpretation and reporting. (SLD)

This guide to using qualitative case study research in business education explains methodological steps and decisions, illustrated with examples from business research. It addresses data analysis and interpretation, including discussion of software tools. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

The Children's Health Awareness Project is presented as a case study in using focus groups for gathering sensitive information from children. General focus group techniques and advantages and limitations of the method are described. Recommendations are offered for use of the technique with children when sensitive topics are addressed. (SLD)