Suggest that autobiography ought to be considered both the telling of one's story and the using of that story with others to understand and use difference productively. Claims that autobiography, as telling and interacting, dismantles the universalistic tug of science as local knowledge. Presents selected autobiographical accounts to make both…

Describes an experience of trying to publish a book whose contents are in some ways marginal to what is normally considered science or science education. During the publishing process, ideas about what counts as science got tangled up with what counts as "credible" science, "marketable" literature, and academic competence. (Contains 26…

Comparative education lacks engagement with central theoretical debates about culture, current in anthropology. Recentered discourse on culture would recognize cultural inquiry's value, particularly for destabilizing taken-for-granted categories and truths. At the same time, comparative education might benefit from deeper critical engagement with…

Intends to sketch the research climate in Egypt in such a way that will have relevance to conducting research in the broader developing world. Explains that the problems encountered doing research in Egypt can be expected to occur in most developing countries, not only in Egypt. (CMK)

This article reviews sustainability of research-based practices and the extent to which it is reasonable to assume that educators can or should sustain practices over time. Facilitators for sustainability are discussed and include teacher input and a feeling of collaboration, sensitivity, and responsiveness between the researcher and the…

By choosing to classify its decoding approach as "real reading," a 1998 National Research Council report avoids discussing effects of real issues like poverty, race, class, and cultural identity on student achievement. Politicizing education muffles the rigorous academic debate concerning the grievances and educational needs of…

Researchers have found no stable relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement or other desirable behaviors. In psychological studies, the most self-assured subjects were more likely to want to harm someone. Healthy self-esteem comes from achievement. Schools should support and promote accomplishment over "feel-good"…

Reinterprets Betts and Shkolnick's results in an article appearing in this "EER" issue. The data do not allow accurate classification of tracked and untracked classrooms. There appears to be little difference in student performance and resource allocation between schools that formally and informally group students by ability. (MLH)

Discusses the analytical problems that research on the academic profession must address and summarizes recent trends and debates. Suggests possible future developments in the context of four scenarios: "key profession,""academic work,""mediator," and "antiquity." Findings of the International Study on the Academic Profession are discussed in the…

Argues that shortcomings in program implementation and evaluation contributed to failure to demonstrate effectiveness of the Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP). Articulates lessons from the CCDP, including addressing roles of demonstration projects and their evaluations, problems in evaluation early in program implementation, the…

Responds to Gilliam et al.'s critique of evaluation of the Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP). Restates the policy implications of the study and comments on the design of the intervention and the evaluation. Concludes with remarks on how evaluation and research should be used to help low-income families. (Author/KB)

Describes "Studying Children in Context" as a reader- friendly book that situates studying children within the process of conducting qualitative research. Notes strengths including discussion of ethics and methods of data generation and organization, and inclusion of case studies that illuminate researchers' struggles. Notes limitations…

Explores the problems and issues involved in doing comparative historical education research (CHER) in a single society, specifically Hong Kong. Focuses on primary and secondary sources concerning education in Hong Kong. Concludes with a discussion on the links to various theories and lessons from Hong Kong. (CMK)

Considers the relative lack of research attention to retention in developmental psychology and recent findings on age differences in retention. Highlights unresolved issues and how Bauer and colleagues' work may help set the research agenda and contribute to a shift in how early childhood retention is studied. Discusses memory strength,…

Institutional researchers frequently use national datasets such as those provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The authors of this chapter explore the adjustments required when analyzing NCES data collected using complex sample designs. (Contains 8 tables.)