Addresses the relationships of qualitative researchers to the policy-making process. Uses the example of the Reading Excellence Act to demonstrate that qualitative researchers have many points of access to the policy-making process. Suggests qualitative researchers must provide relevant information, communicate in a straightforward manner,…

This paper describes the qualitative research studies reviewed by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood (DEC) for its Early Childhood Recommended Practices Project. These studies were more likely to address issues of families, policy, interdisciplinary models, and personnel preparation than other topic areas. Most…

This guide to using qualitative case study research in business education explains methodological steps and decisions, illustrated with examples from business research. It addresses data analysis and interpretation, including discussion of software tools. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

Describes the use of triangulation in research, a process that uses multiple measures or methods to examine a research question where a single data set would not be appropriate. Topics discussed include reliability; validity; concurrent validity; convergence; and problems in using analysis of variance as the only method to obtain data. (13…

Important differences in the theory and practice of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are highlighted. This article suggests that each of these methodologies can be improved by utilizing key ingredients of the other. (Author/IAH)

An assessment is provided of two papers responding to an article by P. Atkinson, S. Delamont, and M. Hammersley (1988) critiquing papers by E. Jacob (1987, 1988) on qualitative research traditions. Definitions of "tradition" and "research tradition," and the necessity to include British research in Jacob's meta-analysis are…

Responding to Arthur Blunmberg's critique of Bolin's article, the author supports grounding supervision in practice and using qualitative research methods. However, the status of teaching is devaluation of children in our society. Such values perpetuate the low status of teacher supervision. (MLH)

Discusses the use of a relational database as a data management and analysis tool for nonexperimental qualitative research, and describes the use of the Reflex Plus database in the Vitrine 2001 project in Quebec to study computer-based learning environments. Information systems are also discussed, and the use of a conceptual model is explained.…

An exploratory study of adult learning resulting from locally initiated community group programs illustrates approaches to qualitative and, more particularly, naturalistic evaluation. The use of a proxy list and the blending of independently derived abstract and concrete initial category labels proved particularly useful in the categorization…

This article reviews the qualitative structured interview technique; provides a synopsis of a case study of the exercise adoption process for 7 women (aged 65-74) where this technique was utilized; and discusses the technique in terms of its implications and potential for future leisure research. (IAH)

Examines the process by which real estate developers construct rural images of urban places, exploit anti-urban, pro-rural, and pro-community sentiments, and commodify and appropriate the established meanings of places. Uses Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as a case study. Contains 47 references. (SV)

Argues that a democratic, emancipatory research model consisting of collaborative and explicit statements of purpose, design, data collection, analysis, publication, implications for practice and future research is possible and ideal for the educational community. Argues that this model has evolved to overcome the limitations of the rationalistic…

Focus group interviewing is presented as an interactive method of conducting qualitative research with potential applications in early intervention. A six-component process to guide focus group research involves formulate research questions, select participants, develop protocol, conduct focus groups, analyze data, and report the findings.…

Presents generalizations about the editing process in a governmental agency. Suggests that editing is a complex, meaning-making process. Notes that the three vary greatly in their readiness to use their personal authority in interpreting the audience's needs. Suggests that editors gain authority by assuming the role of language specialists and by…

Addresses epistemological questions about the nature of ontology, theoretical questions concerning the knowledge of sense perceptions, and methodological questions regarding the scientific truth-effect of procedures integral to arguments for and against the use of qualitative forms of analysis as a feasible and effective means for conducting…