This review critiques the use of Lev Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) in quantitative research that focuses on the role communication plays in learning. A study that makes claims in terms of the ZPD should include a pretest, a problem-solving activity, and a posttest. Without these minimal elements, researchers are not…

This document provides a current assessment of the role and character of longitudinal studies. Eighteen articles define this type of study, discuss its applications to the educational process, advise when to use longitudinal inquiry, and describe barriers formed by lack of statistical techniques in manipulating the data. The traditional argument…

The study of teacher effectiveness is confronted by a number of problems that are generally associated with the conduct of behavioral research. It is possible in some instances to resolve or circumvent some of the current methodological stumbling blocks that tend to reduce the credibility of research findings. This paper discusses three…