Responds to Goodman's criticisms (volume 12 number 4) of his analysis of Goodman's work, using several linguistic and psychological paradigms to challenge the principles on which the work is based. (AA)

Suggests that societal change occurs more rapidly than dependable developmental research findings emerge. The research establishment in developmental psychology is examined to determine aspects which affect the ability of the system to produce better results faster. (BRT)

Three major propositions discussed in this article include: (1) There are two major obstacles to research influencing educational practice in the long term. (2) These are the pragmatic-practical notion that research should pay off and that it should be relevant to contemporary social and educational problems. (Author/AM)

A total of 64 preschool children were assigned to one of three conditions--fantasy play, play, or imitation--with common objects, or to an alternative-materials group. Subjects were tested for associative fluency for familiar and novel objects, both immediately and after a delay of one week. No significant main effects for condition were found.…

Provides an introduction to the theme of this issue, the limits of educational research methodology. Advocates a combination of research methodologies and identifies three approaches to educational research. Includes sections on the nature of research and common research problems. (JDH)

This article identifies some of the unique characteristics of qualitative research, enumerates its areas of weakness, and offers solutions for overcoming these weaknesses. Concludes that the criticisms leveled at qualitative research and analysis can be applied to all research paradigms, and that qualitative research does work when it is done…

Reviews literature on the homeless reporting higher rates of psychiatric disorder, psychological distress, and previous psychiatric hospitalization compared to the general population. However, understandardized methodology and lack of consistent findings across studies prohibit reliable prevalence estimates of mental disorder among the homeless.…

Discusses the assumptions that ground radical, liberal, and socialist feminist theoretical frameworks, and reviews feminist media research. Argues that liberal feminism speaks only to White, heterosexual, middle and upper class women and is incapable of addressing most women's concerns. Concludes that socialist feminism offers the greatest…

Discusses the limitations of personal construct theory for research that investigates teachers' thinking. Argues that repertory grid studies, which are often a part of personal construct research, are inconsistent with personal construct theory. Outlines an approach more congruent with the personal construct method. (RKM)

This study of the stability of parent behaviors toward toddlers over a 3-week period used both aggregated and nonaggregated data. Comparison of stability correlations indicated higher stabilities for aggregated scores, with the level of stability increasing as scores from additional single sessions were aggregated. (PCB)

The developmental significance of unresponsive or uncooperative behavior of children in standardized developmental assessments made during the preschool years was investigated. Untestable children were significantly lower than testable children on a wide range of abilities at all ages from 12 through 72 months. (PCB)

Provides a set of guidelines for evaluating research using structural equation modeling (SEM). Offers insight into how someone familiar with SEM would judge the adequacy of a study using such methods. (Author/RH)

The author discusses some of the problems in measuring the incidence and employer costs of benefits. Problems discussed include (1) benefit plan flexibility, (2) integration of related benefits, (3) cost control, (4) contingent pay systems, (5) emerging benefits, and (6) differing measurement approaches. (CH)

Responds to Fogel's (1988) concerns about the validity and preferred uses of scaled monadic phases and introduces a note of caution about prematurely concluding that stochastic organization alone is of significance to development. (RH)

Discusses research methodology in general, and suggests ways of identifying what is and is not known in the field of reading. Points out that reading research has not yet investigated how adults and children read nonschool materials in nonschool settings. (ARH)