Although neuroscience has much to offer teaching and learning conceptualizations, educators must be cautious about applying lab research to classrooms. Brain research seems hazy, confusing, and contradictory because it is new. Myths about synapses, low-stress learning, memorization, enrichment, and learning styles are debunked. (MLH)

Argues that a reconsideration of what theatre or drama research actually is, and who undertakes it, is essential for the spark of life to fully enter the world of educational theatre. Discusses practical applications of research. Argues that research, like theatre, is for all, including students and teachers, and that controversy and…

Examines empirical studies purporting to demonstrate that transracial adoption may positively benefit children of color, particularly Black children. Argues that several methodological difficulties exist in these studies, and describes the Eurocentric bias of legal and scientific assessments of children's well-being and adjustment. (JPB)

"School Effectiveness for Whom?" (1998), edited by R. Slee and others, challenges the claims and silences of effective schools research and seeks more theoretically robust understandings. M. Thrupp's book "Schools Making a Difference: Let's Be Realistic" (1999) urges greater recognition of educational reform's limitations. Both…

Discusses methodological issues that may adversely affect the research process and impede understanding of Latinas, particularly those affected by AIDS. Gives suggestions for strengthening qualitative and quantitative methods when conducting research on Latinas. Describes the growing awareness of important clinical subgroup differences based on…

Comments on researchers' efforts to develop and refine a methodology to use in a study that investigated patterns in general education teachers' integration practices (EC 618 917). The need to combine qualitative and quantitative methods in more creative ways to investigate actual practice in special education is discussed. (CR)

A case is made that the term "science" in reference to special education is misused, and that the methods of empiricist science are inappropriately applied to the study of special education. Article concludes that many of the criticisms leveled at special education can be traced back to this misunderstanding of science. (Author/CR)

Reviews book that explores the nature and potential of interdisciplinary research. Presents not only a history of both disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity but also a review of the major problems confronting interdisciplinary research and some possible solutions. (VWC)

Highlights the role of reflexivity in educational research and argues that it needs to be recognized in terms of learning in general, in relation to research design, and in respect to producing educational knowledge. Presents a way of researching social justice and education that accounts for the reflexive nature of educational research. (DSK)

Counters 14 criticisms of school-effectiveness research (SER). Many criticisms are founded on simplistic/skewed readings of SER; there is wide diversity in SER. Many SER researchers have considered socioeconomic effects on achievement but believe schools can have influences beyond social class. Pragmatism is a worthy paradigm for studying schools.…

Notes that Rothbaum et al. (2001) integrate more than 200 studies conducted in 2 countries over 4 stages of development. Maintains that their method of integrating studies provides a promising way to overcome some of the most vexing methodological difficulties of cross-cultural research. (Author/KB)

Dealing with data from multiple family members presents problems for researchers, as many of the techniques available for dealing with such data are problematic, and there is no way that is unique to each family. Proposes and gives an example of the use of Q factor analysis as a means of combining data from multiple family members in a unique way…

A critique of rankings of Canadian universities focuses on one popular 1993 ranking and comparative data for the previous year. Several problems in the ranking procedures and results of some correlational analyses of the ranking data are discussed. Implications, particularly in the wider context of public institution accountability and the…

Responding to criticisms from James Gallagher, Richard Jaeger, John Hattie, and Robert Slavin, the authors contend that detracking creates both winners and losers. Policymakers face a tradeoff between helping low-achieving students and hurting high-achieving ones. The decision depends on how society weighs competing notions of equity and…

Examines libraries as postmodern institutions, identifies barriers to research imposed by library collections and services, considers how CD-ROMs magnify these barriers, and offers an instructional method using active teaching and learning methods known as critical pedagogy for bibliographic instruction in academic libraries. (Author/LRW)