Interviews with 108 high school teachers in eastern Kentucky, northeastern England, and St. Petersburg (Russia) examined cross-cultural similarities and differences in teachers' beliefs about influences on student motivation. The findings demonstrate how comparative research that relies solely on teacher opinions can be problematic. Studies that…

Literature review examines school effectiveness research in developing countries, focusing on why Third World research has not used analytic techniques applied in industrialized countries, how school effectiveness and school improvement approaches differ, which indicators are used, use of multilevel analysis in Third World research, and how to…

Reviewed 21 empirical studies concerning the relationship between self-esteem and ethnic identity among Latino adolescents. Found that despite differences in conceptualization of ethnic identity and some methodological limitations, existing research suggested a positive relationship between ethnic identification and self-esteem for Latinos living…

A beverage-server intervention project at two West Coast Navy bases that attempted to reduce levels of alcoholic intoxication via policy changes and server training is described. Data obtained via interviews and structured observations of 1,511 club customers indicate methodological bias and self-selection effects. Bias adjustments were performed…

Examines latent mean differences in the results of a number of self-concept measures of low and high track suburban Canadian high school students. Suggests that low track students may compensate for their negative academic experiences by emphasizing social popularity. (FMW)

Reviews recent developments in the following areas of research on affective disorders and related syndromes in the preadult years: (1) psychiatric and diagnostic (nonbiological) studies; (2) hypothesis-testing and causal-explanation studies; and (3) studies of developmental psychopathology. Indicates directions for future research. (Author/BJV)

The egalitarian dogma, the belief that blacks and whites are genetically equal in cognitive ability, has been perpetuated through intimidation and pious thinking. Data on racial differences and the corruption of scholarship that causes them to be ignored are discussed. (SLD)

Asserts that current technology makes it possible to administer organizational surveys by using computers. Describes processes of conducting a computer-administered survey. Finds that respondents who complete computer surveys find them more interesting and seem to be more aware of their thoughts and feelings while completing them. (CFR)

Describes and analyzes the establishment of Chicano voluntary associations in California from 1910 to 1930. Refutes early research supporting prejudicial Hispanic stereotypes. Examines how political and social forces produced complex networks of voluntary organizations aiding ethnic consciousness and immigrant and migrant assimilation. Focuses on…

Issues that arose in attempting to survey people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are described. Questions of confidentiality, nonimplementation, and slow accrual of information are considered for an initial sample of 2,731 cases. Comparison with a database concerning 1,313 clinic clients indicates overrepresentation of compliant…

Provides an overview of research on the effectiveness of microcomputer applications with at-risk students and suggests that many findings in the literature are questionable because of flaws in research methodology. Issues relating to measurement, learning environment, computer utilization, gender, and socioeconomic status are addressed, and…

Results with 54 African-American and 63 white kindergarten through second grade students (66 males and 51 females) do not support earlier studies' findings that African Americans and whites negative-value dark and positive-value white skin colors. Previous results may relate more to the forced-choice methodologies used than in the children's…

This overview of the research process for the novice information retrieval (IR) researcher provides guidance on selecting a research question, choosing the type of test, defining variables, developing or using databases, finding and processing queries, assigning treatments to experimental units, collecting and analyzing the data, and presenting…

Asserts that educational policymakers must measure student achievement and school system performance accurately to help provide skills demanded by society. Contends that many international surveys either fail to provide adequate and precise answers to the intended research questions or provide inaccurate and faulty results. (CFR)

Primary research on student ratings of instruction is reviewed, and questions about the validity of such ratings as measures of teacher effectiveness are explored using nomological coding of 43 validity studies to examine causes of variability in coefficients of validity. Deficiencies of prior analyses and research needs are identified. (SLD)