This paper focuses on the lack of productive knowledge-building in social education research by raising issues related to the place of scholarship in the field, the nature of its goals, and whether empirical-scientific research can be carried out to meet those goals. Attention is drawn to the limits of educational research based on untenable…

Comments on the preceding article by Bogdan, and discusses how to help college students in qualitative methods courses to develop analytic and synthetic skills in the presentation and formulation of research problems. (GC)

Argues that introductory sociology students need to be familiar with the basics of the entire research process and able to spot simple research errors. Urges teachers to devote time to teaching research methods, assign homework, and include research methods instruction throughout the course. Recommends use of extended research examples and…