A multimethod approach to program evaluation using quantitative methods, subjective assessments, and qualitative case study methods was used to evaluate a federally funded grant to improve quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. Discussion focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of each evaluation method and impact of the…

Describes a novel assessment method used to examine Japanese and American teachers' ideas about what constitutes effective mathematics pedagogy. Evaluates American and Japanese mathematics lessons and classifies teachers' comments into over 1600 idea units. Suggests that U.S. teachers have culturally sanctioned options for teaching mathematics;…

Evaluates educational and occupational variables in a target population of youth in four Latin American countries. Argues that poor youth miss the formal education necessary for entry into the labor market. Questions whether training systems compensate for this limitation and whether these training courses connect with the labor market. (CAJ)

Argues that researchers give insufficient concern to choice of research sites. Criticizes researchers who settle for sites based on convenient ready access, time, financial and personal costs and who do not consider theoretical objectives of studies. Illustrates main arguments using comparative research about schools for religious minorities in…

Explored the experience of "good" supervision events from the perspective of supervisees using a qualitative phenomenological research methodology. Eight intermediate-level to advanced-level trainees participated in a tape-recorded interview in which they described a recent good supervision experience, yielding transcripts that were subjected to a…

The usefulness of small-scale interview studies to explore the validity of science achievement tests in several formats was studied with 141 high school students and 49 fifth and sixth graders. Results, which provided evidence of test validity, also support the use of small-scale qualitative interviews in test validation. (SLD)

Observed writing strategies of two students in a primary, self-contained special education class using a whole language philosophy. Found that students showed concern for meaning and conventions and that they used metacognitive strategies, such as rereading or prior knowledge; external sources of help, including dictionaries or teacher assistance;…

This qualitative longitudinal investigation examined why a home visiting program was not more effective. Findings indicated that home visits had a consistent structure and that home visitors emphasized their social support role, placing little emphasis on changing parenting behavior. It was suggested that the program's flawed theory of change,…

Examines the influence of a privately funded scholarship program on strategic adaptations within metropolitan public and private schools. Finds, for example, that public school administrators accelerated development of distinctive school missions, while private schools recruiting low-income students began to explore ways of adapting curricula and…

Outlines inquiry-based methods for analyzing longitudinal qualitative data to assess participant changes in three long-term theater education studies. Encourages qualitative researchers in drama and theatre education to devote more extended periods of time to systematically observing young people or adult practitioners experiencing the art form.…

Characterizes middle school teachers' discussions of assigned readings from a variety of content area materials. Finds that the teachers' purpose appeared to influence the type of discussion they conducted and that their actual discussions seldom resembled their articulated abstract definitions of a good discussion. (KEH)

Ethnographic techniques were applied to a post hoc examination of children's incidental behaviors during a metalinguistic intervention procedure--behaviors ignored in the original experimental design. The reflective and qualitative nature of ethnography was used to account for the 12 phonologically impaired 4-year-olds' varied perceptions of…

Outlines a behavioral approach to information retrieval system design based on the derivation of a behavioral model of the information-seeking patterns of academic social scientists. The extent to which identified information-seeking characteristics are supported by existing systems is considered, and requirements for implementing these features…

A qualitative observational study of standardized group testing in 10 kindergartens revealed variations in testing conditions, discrepancies from standardized administration procedures, and variations in children's behavior that contributed to difficulties in maintaining a uniform testing process. High-stakes group testing in kindergarten should…

A traffic safety instructional package--"Science and the Road"--was assessed. It was designed by the Road Traffic Authority of Victoria (Australia) for use in tenth-grade science courses. Evaluation findings resulted in revision of the unit and implementation of more inservice courses for teachers lacking relevant biology and physics…