Describes the evaluation of an attendance administration course and illustrates various evaluation processes, design features, and problems. Data were collected for reaction and learning as well as job behavior and results suggested the importance of supervisory support as an intervening variable. (Author/JEG)

This paper outlines some of the interview approaches and observational techniques that social scientists use in field study. Discussed are scheduled interviews, open-ended interviews, the delphi technique, participant observation, process observation, and lurking. (Author/AV)

The results of this study raise serious questions about the validity of cross-sectional studies of second language acquisition based on instrument-solicited morpheme data. The analysis of spontaneous data examined longitudinally suggests that such data may provide richer insights into the second language acquisition process. (Author/POP)

The different components of air monitoring networks, the status of air monitoring in the United States, and the services and activities of the three major American network builders are detailed. International air monitoring networks and alert systems are identified, with emphasis on the Dutch air monitoring network. (BT)

Raises concerns about using interview data in phenomenological research, arguing such data are more related to discourse and the interviewee's perception of what is appropriate to say in the context than to "ways of experiencing," which is the object of study in phenomenography. Also argues that in important respects, discursive…

Presents a study that introduces data logging using portable computers as part of an investigative approach to science. Working with control and experimental classes of 14- and 16-year-olds, results suggest that data logging can have an impact on graphing skills at age 14 which is not necessarily repeatable at age 16. (Author/AIM)

Reacts to a new methodology: consensual qualitative research (CQR). Provides an outline of the historical debate on psychological research methods, explains the distinction between discovery-oriented and verification-oriented research, and labels the CQR approach as a discovery-oriented design. Questions the CQR's emphasis on consensus and…

Reviews basic sociometric tools and their analysis, provides information on computer programs to analyze sociometric data, and briefly examines considerations in conducting sociometric investigations. Looks at the social atom (significant others), constructing sociometry questions, and offers an analysis of individual status and interactional…

Explores the interdisciplinary nature of interdisciplinary research, provides a brief explanation of the Integrative Review of Research of which meta-analysis can be a part, and describes the librarian's role, particularly in data collection. Discusses developing trends in the area, including the use of the World Wide Web. (Author/LRW)

Challenges the reliability of data sets by pointing out the following pitfalls in major census data: (1) changes in the definition of racial/ethnic categories and (2) the question of gender in determining household composition, paid/unpaid work, occupation, employment status, and poverty. (SK)

Examines pitfalls in analyzing school-level data, particularly expenditure data. Examples come from Ohio's experience with creating usable data structures for examining school-level information, aided by a statewide, complex, multipurpose Education Management Information System (EMIS). Since districts can choose different reporting software…

Describes school-level K-12 revenue and expenditure data collection in California, Texas, Florida, and Minnesota. Neither California nor Minnesota collects school-site fiscal data. Florida's highly advanced district and school-level data collection system has inconsistently reported standardized test scores. Texas has developed a good database to…

Discusses efforts to locate studies on the older adult second language learner. Notes that one online and three compact disk databases were searched, using search strategies and subject headings appropriate to each particular file. Results reveal that most of the relevant studies were retrieved from the ERIC and the Linguistics and Language…

Nine types of errors occurring in the process of synthesizing research are described, with examples from a recent synthesis of research on teacher professional growth. Types of errors include excluding relevant literature, wrongly reporting details such as sample size, erroneously attributing findings to studies, and stating unwarranted…

Data collection and assessment processes used by a nursing school are described. Sources include student achievement data from tests, projects, journals, case studies, community service, and clinical practicums. The ways in which data are organized, presented, and used are discussed. (SK)