This Policy Research Brief explores the strengths of qualitative research and the types of information it can make available to policymakers concerned with issues affecting persons with disabilities. The naturalistic methodology employed in qualitative research is described. Three specific studies using qualitative methodology are excerpted and…

This study was conducted in order to determine the impact of a 3-year, theory based, inservice training program on teaching effectiveness for classroom teachers. Feedback on observed teaching effectiveness competencies was provided for each teacher in the study sample, along with a profile of student learning styles and data on student perceptions…

Distance education and its new form of distributed learning have been used in many countries to provide education to people who need training. Recent developments in instructional technology enable the institutions to distribute their education to more people in distant places than ever before. The field of distributed learning has a lot of…

This booklet provides information to help prepare undergraduate students for academic internships with the federal government. Most interns serve without pay; however, the opportunity to observe and participate in government provides important guidance for future decisions, and even potential employment opportunities. The student should do…

The potential educational impact of the Melbourne Zoo (Australia) for recreational visitors was examined in this study using time as the major dependent variable. Specific goals included: (1) assessment of the potential cognitive and affective educational impact of zoos on recreational visitors; (2) determination of the temporal and spatial…

The urban neighborhood, long of interest to city planners and sociologists, has in recent years become of increasing concern to public policy-makers. This new concern has called attention to a large gap in the municipal policy-maker's information resources. Social scientists have employed a field method, participant-observation, that can…

A SUMMER PROGRAM WAS CONDUCTED FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES OF CREATIVE THINKING AND EXPRESSION, WIDE EXPLORATION, FREE QUESTIONING, AND SELF-ESTEEM DEVELOPMENT. FORTY HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE BOYS (PREDOMINATELY NEGRO) WERE COUNSELED, GUIDED, AND INSTRUCTED IN SUCH SUBJECT AREAS AS LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. THE RESEARCH…

A field study was conducted to investigate classroom management from the perspective of high school students. Findings suggested that students use six strategies to achieve two major goals during classroom events and that the combination of strategies used by students is based on different context features of each classroom. (Author/BS)

The purpose of this research is to examine the detailed components of Japanese students' English speaking ability in terms of communicative competence by using an oral proficiency test based on Bachman's Communicative Language Ability model (included in an appendix). Eighty college students were tested on four tasks--speech making, visual material…

Analyzes some of the mistakes made and the lessons learned doing participant-observation research on six special congressional elections. Briefly describes seven of these lessons including schedule strategically, get multiple perspectives, do not overlook details, be a pack rat, and recognizing that some goals and processes are antithetical. (MJP)

Describes a study that provided preservice teachers with laptop computers to use in a yearlong fieldwork experience in an elementary school. Topics include results of participant observations and interviews that investigated how preservice teachers used the laptops and the impact of their use; developing electronic portfolios with pupils; and…

Interviews and observations focused on experiences of 15 young Asian women at a 5-day summer adventure program in southern England. Participants seemed bored with presentations about future career options, activities lost their challenge through repetition, and debriefing was weak. However, the women connected with the transferable skills of trust…

Examines the tensions created between public demands for curriculum changes and the schools' internal needs. Reports a case study on the implementation of a core curriculum in an English comprehensive school. Focuses on the work of the curriculum committee and the role of the principal. Assesses successes and failures of the project. (RW)

Addresses the question, "What is Indian about Indian education?" as a move toward a theory of Indian education. Interviews with American Indian and Alaska Native graduate education students at Harvard suggested 12 standards for shaping Indian education: spirituality, service to community, identity, culture, continuity with tradition, respect,…

Asserts that the technique of "Stories at Work," or fictional-critical writing, is an emerging discipline within professional development and educational research. Discusses ways in which the technique can be used to enhance self-concept and improve teacher effectiveness. (CFR)