Research published since 1980 on the uses of technology in special education is reviewed, including observational and naturalistic studies. The diversity of research in special education stems from the multiple roles of the special education teacher, who has many responsibilities beyond instruction. (SLD)

Presents an heuristic approach to qualitative educational research. Practical theories of research are viewed as personal. They need to be examined to gain a better understanding of the research self and to understand the perspective of others. Exercises designed to generate this understanding are thus a prerequisite for research. (MMU)

Discusses nature activities that teachers can use with young children to help develop the children's observation and processing skills. Teachers and students can examine weeds in the spring, observe and understand the role that insects play in nature, study the many colors and sizes of leaves in the fall, and find and analyze animal tracks in the…

Stimulated recall (SR) is a family of introspective research procedures through which cognitive processes can be investigated by inviting subjects to recall, when prompted by a video sequence, their concurrent thinking during that event. Variations of the generic approach are widely used and many of the studies treat SR as non-problematic. The…

Background: "Environmental education in the Galapagos: 2007 report to the Charles Darwin Foundation" is a report to the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) about the researchers observations about the status of environmental education in the Galapagos in 2006 and 2007. Purpose: This paper reports on environmental education in the Galapagos…

We evaluated problem behavior exhibited by 6 individuals with developmental disabilities using the behavioral economic conceptualization of unit price. Descriptive observations were conducted during interactions between the participants and their primary care providers in a clinical laboratory, the participants' homes, or school. Data were…

The effects of childhood epilepsy on family interactional patterns were examined with eight families with a child with epilepsy and eight matched control Ss. Families were observed in their home environment using a coded, direct observation tool, the Family Observation Record Keyboard System (FORKS), and the portable electroencephalographic…

Points out that the "English Journal" considers all readers prospective contributors. Lists and discusses the criteria that "English Journal" uses to judge manuscripts that purport to describe effective classroom practices. (ARH)

Investigators were surveyed on the topic of side effects coincident with baseline naturalistic observations of children. Reported side-effects usually involved exacerbation of problems already occurring. Children in clinical samples were more likely than those in naturalistic samples to display side-effects. (Author/BB)

John Burroughs was a poet-naturalist who spent most of his life during the late 1800s and early 1900s living in a rustic cabin that he built almost entirely from native materials. Burroughs suggested that becoming a good observer of nature was a function of the whole person and the power of concentrated attention, and not of the eyes alone. (LP)

Y. S. Lincoln and E. G. Guba consider L. Sechrest's comments on their book "Fourth Generation Evaluation" as less a criticism than an attempt to demolish. D. M. Fetterman also objects to much of Sechrest's address. E. J. Posavac generally agrees with conclusions of Welch and Sternhagen. (SLD)

Legitimate and fair criteria for the publication of qualitative naturalistic research in occupational therapy include credibility and transferability. Such methods as triangulation, negative case analysis, and testing for rival hypotheses are promising criteria for fairness and rigor. (SK)

Naturalistic inquiry methods were used to explore the spiritual dimension of wilderness experiences among 26 participants in wilderness adventure programs. Participants identified their spiritual experiences and factors contributing to or inhibiting such experiences. Program recommendations are offered for planning wilderness trips conducive to…

Naturalistically observed 52 preschoolers' responses to their crying peers. Found that variations in preschoolers' ways of responding were related to the children's temperament, friendship status, and interactive style with peers. (Author/BC)

Presents a philosophical grounding for valuation in educational administration. It is based on a naturalistic perspective that shows how scientific methods and relevant concepts and explanations can be used in situations requiring moral deliberation. Examples illustrate how administrators can use tentative explanations and consequence analysis to…