Discusses issues inherent in the four meta-analyses of instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities conducted by Gersten and Baker, MacArthur et al; Elbaum and Vaughn, and Swanson. Considers the effects of meta-analyses in general on practice, the effect of including studies that do not meet methodological criteria, and…

Examines the construct and action validity of the use of simple checklists to assess the declarative knowledge component of adult's literacy by telephone. Finds significant relationships among knowledge when assessed either by listening (telephone) or by reading (mailed questionnaire) modality. Concludes that the telephone method may provide a…

Examines the empirical evidence cited in favor of the operation of genetic factors in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and argues that the evidence does not support a role for genetic factors in the disorder. Discusses problems compromising family, twin, and adoption studies. (JPB)

States that a method for estimating gender wage gaps by industry yields estimates that vary according to arbitrary choice of omitted reference groups. Suggests alternative methods not susceptible to this problem that can be applied to other contexts, such as racial, union/nonunion, and immigrant/native wage differences. (SK)

Looks at some of the core perspectives in teacher research, situates the movement in a wider context, and examines some of its explicit or implicit premises along with typical methodologies. Discusses the opportunities of teacher research; the craft-artistry perspective; communities of exchange, support, and inquiry; and warrants for knowledge in…

Responds to a previous article on research in second-language learning, challenging the need for discussion on the promises and problems, and asserting the need to report definitive results. (Author/JL)

Discusses the conceptual status and uses of ethnic groups in developmental psychology. Discusses problems with the primordialist position and the influence of nationalism in defining culture. Argues that culture and ethnicity as shared and located within a bounded population is an increasingly outmoded notion. Maintains that developmental…

Focuses on theoretical and practical difficulties in constructing and evaluating a measure of the home environment of a diversity of families. Describes limitations of theory to guide developmental indicator selection and ways to deal with these limitations. Discusses rationale for selecting criteria for judging test validity and use of cause…

Considers some ways that past research equips educators to tackle research challenges they are now facing. Suggests two challenges for consideration, convergence and commonality. Notes that convergence and commonality challenge educators to let go of the search for disciplinary identity, to stop seeking uniformity in methods, and to use diversity…

Proceeds from a retrospective of conceptions of Rousseau and Froebel to argue that early-childhood education should be grounded in dimensions of subjectivity, intersubjectivity, society, and history to enable analysis of its various tasks in their respective specificity and reciprocal dependence. Characterizes the challenges facing such a theory…

Howard Fuller misinterpreted the author's remarks regarding feasibility of expanding the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Since parochial schools were not included in the original math achievement study, results cannot be generalized to a broader voucher program. Fuller also distorted the 4th-year math effect found by other researchers. (MLH)

Research within and across cultures is depicted in four case studies: a black woman interviewing black women, Asian students in the United States interviewing people back home, an African professor and African businesswomen, and a cross-cultural team studying aging in a non-Western culture. Insider/outsider status of researchers is described in…

Examines research currently being conducted by some stakeholders in the name of valid distance learning research. Asserts that such research essentially repeats the mistakes of prior media studies that use the long-discredited media comparison approach (which compares distance courses with traditional campus-based courses). (EV)

Presents an overview of the concepts and methods employed by outcome researchers evaluating intervention effectiveness in child welfare, and the problems associated with these methods that make their use by agencies impractical. Discusses concepts of statistical significance, effect size, and the meaningfulness of effects. Emphasizes the need for…

Surveys continue to be one of the primary research methods in social science research, as they have been useful for exploring subjects ranging from attitudes and intentions to motivations and behaviors, to name but a few. Notwithstanding, response rates in survey research continue to decline despite the development of more systematic procedures to…