This article is developed from the contents from one of the chapters the researcher has written as part of her PhD thesis. It discusses various methodological challenges the researcher had to face during the phase of data collection in the prisons of Kerala, India, and the strategies adopted to overcome these challenges. This article is intended…

Research synthesis is the practice of systematically distilling and integrating data from many studies in order to draw more reliable conclusions about a given research issue. When the first edition of "The Handbook of Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis" was published in 1994, it quickly became the definitive reference for conducting…

Over the last few decades, scholars have called on the field of educational history to more fully account for the perspectives of women and People of Color, and to connect history to contemporary educational research and policy. While a number of scholars answered these calls with important contributions, few have offered a methodological roadmap…

This powerful resource is for researchers and educational leaders who are interested in understanding and applying research methods that emphasize youth voice. The authors argue that most educational research either omits critical understandings of youth or, even worse, presents inaccuracies due to faulty techniques. Researching how youth…

This paper addresses two major issues: (1) how research will affect social policy in areas of life that relate to women; and (2) what research questions can provide the information required to promote positive changes in social policy. It sketches a rough outline of the central questions within each major area, to indicate some of the work that…

Presented as part of a symposium on evaluation on juvenile diversion programs, this brief paper describes several specific research procedures which have been utilized to help decide which type of diversion approach is best for specific types of clients. Procedures discussed are the regression discontinuity design, the tie-breaker design, and the…

This article reviews reasons why research has shown so little application to practice. Among the reasons cited are: confusing definitions and terminology, failure to address questions which are important to practitioners, prevalence of inconclusive results, and failure to appreciate the political and social implications of research. (JDH)

Reviews research on teaching and makes an appeal for involving classroom teachers as field workers and partners in applied pedagogical research. Covers difficulties involved with such an approach, the need for replication, teacher training and the problem of generalization. (JDH)

Presents first of two-part editorial (second part to appear in next journal issue) proposing guidelines for developing useful tables to report multiple regression outcomes. Pays particular attention to situations where a hierarchical multiple regression analysis is guided by theory. Concludes that some conventional way to report multiple…

Provides an introduction to the theme of this issue, the limits of educational research methodology. Advocates a combination of research methodologies and identifies three approaches to educational research. Includes sections on the nature of research and common research problems. (JDH)

This article identifies some of the unique characteristics of qualitative research, enumerates its areas of weakness, and offers solutions for overcoming these weaknesses. Concludes that the criticisms leveled at qualitative research and analysis can be applied to all research paradigms, and that qualitative research does work when it is done…

Provides guidelines for conducting representative case research (i.e., research that examines response of specific individuals to events, situations, circumstances, or conditions important in human life). Describes phases of investigation. Concludes representative case research offers a way of knowing persons holistically through application of…

Reviews persistent criticisms of quantitative research methodologies such as the lack of isomorphism between measures and "reality," its failure to produce "truths" useful to educational practice, the faulty use of statistics, and the poorly understood notion of causality. (JDH)

Examines the schism of values between qualitative and quantitative social science researchers. Focuses on some practical methodological issues which face researchers wishing to adopt a qualitative-interpretive approach. (JDH)

Advocates the use of interviews in conducting research on child learning and development. Explores some of the difficulties inherent in interviewing children (e.g., suggestibility, unwillingness to respond to strangers), interviewer bias, situational variables, uses of the self-report, and ethical considerations. Also outlines approaches used by…