Although educational research can provide a framework for viewing teaching, one should be cautious when transforming these results into criteria for identifying effective teachers in general and master teachers in particular. Problems arise concerning definitions, causal ambiguity, linearity, student growth measures, context, and research purpose.…

Examines a study conducted by Lam (1986) which compared sheltered and supported employment programs for persons with mental retardation. Discusses how study was designed and how some conclusions were drawn. Raises questions about outcome data interpretation and presents alternative means of comparing program models. (Author/NB)

Responds to comments made by Wehman, Hill, Kregel, and Moon (1987) concerning the results of Lam's 1986 study comparing supported and sheltered employment programs for persons with mental retardation. Addresses specific questions raised by Wehman and his colleagues and discusses research issues on sample comparability. (Author/NB)

This critique of Nisan's (1987) study of morality and convention addresses methodological considerations for cross-cultural research on children's moral and conventional concepts. (PCB)

The present study points out problems in the model, indices of familiality, and design used by Benbow, Zonderman, and Stanley in a study of precocious children and their parents. (Author/LMO)

Summarizes findings of many studies of personality characteristics and adult-child interaction patterns among the Ojibwa. Points out that most studies were undertaken by non-Indians, and many studies had serious methodological flaws and/or lacked coherent theory. Calls for research to contribute to theory and improve Ojibwa quality of life. (JHZ)

To test the selective recall hypothesis, male and female British adolescents listened to a tape recording of "findings" about sex differences. Fifteen of the findings were pro-female and 15 were anti-male. Males, especially those with more negative attitudes towards women, recalled less pro- and more anti-female items. (KH)

In response to criticisms of the study of the Committee on the Status of Black Americans, the study director and committee chairman discuss the following: (1) participant selection process; (2) consultation with scholars; (3) chairman's qualifications; (4) study group organization; (5) theoretical orientation; (6) sponsoring organization's role;…

Intended to provide the novice media researcher with an introduction, review, and current thinking on media-related research, this article traces the historical emphases and development of such research, discusses its positive and negative aspects, and presents recommendations by practitioners and researchers, as well as directions for future…

Meta-analysis of research on a topic may exclude reports that do not present their results in a statistical form amendable to summarizing procedures used. This article illustrates how researchers can consider this aspect in computing statistics from their data. An illustration of how that can sometimes be done is presented. (Author/JAZ)

To overcome problems of trivia and nostalgia, a problem-centered approach to community oral history projects is proposed. Instead of cataloging details about aspects of past social life, the projects might shape their inquiry as an effort to understand a problem facing the community, a problem with contemporary significance but historical roots.…

Considers possibility of developing a computer tutor around an explicit concept-learning theory derived from machine learning techniques. Some problems with using the focusing (and similar) algorithms in this role are discussed and possible solutions are developed. Design for a guided discovery learning system for tutoring concepts is proposed.…

Reports a quasi-experimental study involving an objective test that was intentionally mis-scored on the copies of the exam returned to students. Results showed that not all perceived errors were reported and that the decision to report errors appeared dependent on whether reporting was to the benefit of the student. (Author/JDH)

Critiques a 1982 research report which related college students' emotions, course grades, and faculty teaching evaluations. Maintains that the design contained several limitations which impugn the validity of the conclusions drawn. (JDH)

Problems with previous factor analytic studies on effective college instruction include: lack of theoretical rationale for item selection; use of incorrect units of analysis; lack of student randomization to classes; failure to control for setting effects; and low content and construct validity. (Author/MSE)