Existing theories of the development of religious thinking in children appear to be of limited use for curriculum development in religious education. Suggests new approaches for research which employ methodologies developed in other areas of educational and psychological research. (Author)

Abt Associates, the firm responsible for the primary analysis of the Follow Through experiment, summarize the findings. Their clearest finding indicates that local circumstances, attitudes, and activities unmeasured by evaluation have much more to do with the effectiveness of Follow Through models, without exception, than do their theoretical…

Interpretations point up the fact that research-oriented evaluation, aiming at estimation of program effects on specific test outcome measures, is capable of illuminating only part of the value of a complex social program like Follow Through. (Author/MLF)

The author presents a research methodology that addresses the problems of (1) integrating research on teacher effectiveness and research on training effectiveness; and (2) combining teacher trainer and researcher in a common effort to develop professional competence in teaching. (MJB)

Research and practitioners are both at fault for failing to understand and communicate with each other. The result has been mutual animosity and a failure of research to bolster educational practice in the way it should. (Author/DS)

The author speaks to Albert Ellis' article and considers the article too naive and simplistic. He particularly questions Ellis' final conclusion that RET is based on a strong empirical foundation. (HMV)

Some major consequences of doing fieldwork in schools over an extended period of time are described. Using Powdermaker's distinction of "stranger and friend," the balance between these two roles and perspectives in terms of role, reciprocity, and receptivity is traced through a description of the author's two year study of student life…

This paper analyzes ways in which the methods used to measure psychological constructs contribute invalidity to measurements. The analysis distinguishes between inadequacies stemming from the behaviors selected for measurement and the harmful effects generated by the measurement operations themselves. (BS)

Describes a reader response study indicating (1) a high degree of agreement on reader beliefs and text events and (2) that students who empathized with a particular character identified the story conflict as pertaining to that character. Suggests specific reader-based and text-based factors that produce convergence and divergence in reader…

Describes collaborative research activities at a university child care center which sought in-depth understanding of factors contributing to the effectiveness of a very successful teacher. Potential problems of conducting collaborative research are pointed out. (RH)

Evaluation Research Society members (n=160) assessed the attributes of research that produce credibility. The study focused on the acceptability of no-difference findings. Randomization, statistical power, number of measures reported, and equivalent groups were tested to determine their influence on acceptability of both no-difference and…

Thirty-two studies, involving 47 discrete experiments, are reviewed on the application of overcorrection to management of self-injurious behavior in intellectually handicapped individuals. The literature supports short-term efficacy of overcorrection. Reservations include the intrusive and restrictive nature of the technique and limited data on…

Research is reviewed on the use of direct observation methods to collect special education data focusing on seven major factors: reactivity; observer drift; the recording procedure; location of the observation; reliability; expectancy and feedback; and characteristics of subjects, observers, and settings. Recommendations are offered for increasing…

Points out that educational research has more critics than supporters. Until researchers convince lawmakers, educators, and taxpayers that research is useful, support for research will not be forthcoming. The constraints on and accomplishments of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement are discussed. (VM)

Presents an overview of research on classroom drama which shows that its use produces positive effects on children's reading, writing, and oral language. Suggests additional questions requiring exploration, and urges researchers to emphasize qualitative rather than quantitative analyses. (ARH)