The technique of clustering facilitates constructivist investigation in counseling research and clinical counseling sessions. Clients can be helped to put difficult-to-verbalize feelings into words. Having clients collaborate in configuring the rich but chaotic data renders that data amenable to matrix analysis. Recently developed computer…

Based on nearly three years of participant-observation research in hospice settings, factors that interfere with the hospice philosophy of providing patient autonomy include efforts at symptom control, patient residence, patient disease state, and staff limit setting. Discusses examples, implications, and staff attempts at solutions. (JPS)

This paper is a follow-up to a previous paper on the importance of career education in middle and secondary schools. A number of established career centers in Ontario were surveyed through a written survey and personal visitations. The paper discusses the use, staffing, funding, and reflections on the future for such centers. (Author)

Suggests that quantification is essential to establish the cost-effectiveness of source reduction (SR). Presents case studies of monitoring methods for seven different kinds of SR efforts: (1) packaging changes, (2) SR businesses, (3) waste exchanges, (4) individual nonresidential efforts, (5) variable garbage rates, (6) yard waste reduction, and…

Research is not simply about collecting data. Textual research that explores issues about the nature of human existence and knowledge is an appropriate way to answer the "why" questions. (SK)

This article describes the functions of ethnography and the primary themes that form the foundation for qualitative inquiry generally and ethnography specifically, as applied in the fields of education and communication disorders. Quantitative and qualitative methods are compared for inquiry conditions, analysis, researcher's role, orientation,…

Data on adoption of 43 user-developed computing applications in 3 large corporations were analyzed to develop an empirically grounded model of the adoption process for intellectual technologies. A five-stage model consisting of Resource Acquisition, Application Development, Adoption/Renewal, Routinization/Enhancement, and External Adoption was…

Discusses methodological issues concerning qualitative research and describes research practices that qualitative researchers use to address these methodological issues. Topics discussed include the researcher as interpreter, the emergent nature of qualitative research, understanding the experience of others, trustworthiness in qualitative…

The article discusses the role of ethnography in anthropology, noting the values and goals of ethnographic research in cultural anthropology. It examines what is involved in conducting ethnographic research, focusing on specific concepts, principles, assumptions, and characteristics, and it discusses the value of ethnography in education. (SM)

Analysis of 395 recent dissertations in early childhood special education found that less than half included children with disabilities, but many incorporated experimental designs, employed qualitative procedures, and targeted social/behavioral and communication topics. Results suggest an increased emphasis on systematic investigations of…

Discusses a cautionary, honest approach to qualitative business communication research, which adds validity and strength, used in a study of a hospital discourse community. (RS)

Examines supervisory communication patterns used to indicate immediacy toward subordinates. Notes that data were qualitatively obtained from MBA students who participated in focus group interview sessions. Reveals and discusses 11 immediacy categories. (SR)

Describes a method for inducing a theoretical model of a series of events that occur in an ongoing process. A data analysis method that transforms narrative data into event histories is explained, a spreadsheet display that compares event histories is described, and future research is suggested. (17 references) (LRW)

In spite of the scarcity of empirical studies of evaluation, such studies are critical to development of evaluation theory. Illustrative examples are given of studies of evaluation practice that operationalize theory. Although practitioners should continue public reflection, they must also focus on the independent and empirical study of…

Investigates the effect of poem selection on therapeutic process and outcome. Examines the use of three different poems by three different therapists in a variety of contexts. Concludes that the "success" or "failure" of poems is based, in part, on what the therapist and poem ask of a client. (SR)