Analysis of the narratives of 150 Latino mothers of young children with developmental disabilities concerning themselves and disability found that most mothers portrayed themselves as good mothers in line with larger cultural notions, and viewed their children as bringing about positive transformations in their lives. Suggestions for using…

Describes a qualitative evaluation that analyzed the processes involved in the authoring of hypermedia applications for education by interviewing both researchers and lecturers from the University of Southampton involved in the development of hypermedia. Considers the quality characteristics of reusability of information, maintainability of…

This article describes a 2-year qualitative study designed to enhance understanding of social integration by including the perspectives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. It discusses the procedures and strategies used to involve individuals with intellectual disabilities, including individual interviews and focus groups to collect…

Examines the visual memories of women over 70 years old that take place during a long life and the roles of visual culture in memory and in mental images through interview and focus groups. Indicates that older women's stories anticipate feminist issues and do not conform to traditional male models of understanding. (CMK)

Summarizes a study investigating teachers,' principals,' and superintendents' perceptions of leadership by analyzing qualitative data collected from three focus groups of seven participants apiece. All three groups had similar value systems, but differed greatly in skill and knowledge domains. Teachers stressed the personality perspective;…

Discusses recent changes in mathematics education and assessment in England and Wales against the background of research on mathematics performance and assessment. Reports findings from qualitative research with 10- to 11-year olds undertaken with the object of exploring the validity of the pilot pencil-and-paper tests in mathematics. Contains 49…

Analysis of the coping strategies of 40 adult women who had been sexually abused in childhood found that overall, abuse characteristics did not predict outcome. However, women who "deliberately suppressed" the abuse incidents were more likely to have low self-esteem and women who "reframed" the sexual abuse event were significantly less likely to…

Describes a qualitative ethnographically informed case study of an electronic text center in a large academic library designed to reveal the underlying metaphors that library staff and patrons used in thinking about electronic texts. It draws upon theories from cognitive anthropology concerning metaphors and mental scripts. (Author/LRW)

Based on qualitative research (interviews with 39 elementary teachers and case studies of two schools), demonstrates that two important concepts can clarify school leaders' crucial role in teachers' professional development. If principals create workplace conditions that offer learning space and opportunities, learning experiences will happen.…

Interviews with 11 high school-aged students with physical disabilities found participants felt driving would add freedom, independence, and responsibility to their lives and increase their educational, employment, and recreational choices. Most preferred to be included in high school driver's education, however, enrollment was either delayed or…

Describes a qualitative study that explores the perspectives of 16 senior student affairs officers. Describes the predominance of student learning as an overarching framework for understanding their work. Findings suggest that the work of student affairs remains largely unchanged on many campuses, except for an increased emphasis on student…

A metatheoretical framework is reviewed, and the qualitative/quantitative dichotomy, prevalent in library and information science (LIS), is critiqued. Standpoint epistemology, as a critique of existing power-knowledge relationships, is discussed as a research strategy that can provide a starting point for re-conceptualizing LIS research. (AEF)

Effects of qualitative researchers' competing self-identities on decision making in the research process are addressed and illustrated with examples from the author's research with African American/Latino, low- to middle-income families of children with disabilities. (Author/DB)

Examines the consequences of the application of different research methods in the field of experiential education. Discusses the meaning of "science"; aims of science, research, and evaluation; systematic, empirical, technological, or emancipatory power of a theory; importance of nomothetic and idiographic rules; researcher-subject…

Explores the concept of the five-step "resilience cycle" in the lives of two of five Dominican American students attending New York University. All five students were high achieving but with a low socioeconomic background. Considers the role of adaptive, complementary, and situational protective factors in producing academic resilience…