The value of qualitative research is often tempered by inappropriate use of methods and findings. Ways to enhance its utility include improving practice and critique, conducting secondary data analyses and qualitative metasyntheses, and finding valid, innovative ways to re-present findings. (SK)

Agrees with the power of randomized clinical trials, but makes the case that random assignment raises other, unanticipated threats to internal validity as a result of failing to consider treatment preference in research participant behavior. Reviews benefits and limitations of research strategies that augment randomization while respecting…

Examined participation of elderly people in research. Compared to subjects refusing consent, subjects signing consent had significantly more positive feelings about being used as subject; giving urine; giving blood; having physical examination; being interviewed; taking intelligence test; answering questions; being subject to help others; finding…

Research interest groups may be a desirable option for individuals in nursing education and service who have not previously conducted research in a particular clinical area. Team efforts are part of the growing attention now being paid to balancing individual and collective interests. (Author/JOW)

Questions assumptions that process variables have fixed meanings, discretely contribute to outcomes, and have a decontextualized net worth, evaluated by their correlations with outcomes. Suggests conceptual framework that integrates theory-driven and discovery-oriented strategies into cyclical, ecologically oriented model. (Author/NB)

Discusses the limitations of Campbell and Christopher's literature on moral development and altruism, claiming that the authors based some of their conclusions on questionable definitions, incorrect assumptions about others' assertions and beliefs, and reference to a limited portion of prosocial behavior. Suggests that Kantian presuppositions play…

Presents criteria for judging research evidence. Points to the importance of seeing the relationship between and among data, observation, evidence, and theory. Defines "communication evidence" as examining the process by which agents produce meaning with others, with emphasis on meaning as production. Concludes with a plea to let…

Compared widowed spouses who participated or refused to participate in longitudinal bereavement study using Bereavement Risk Index. Refusers scored significantly higher than participants on only two items, suggesting that they exercised less control over their emotionality at time of loss and were less likely to be working outside the home.…

Explains how starting with simple questions about adult education leads to sophisticated techniques and questions about effectiveness of research methods. Considers that some questions may never be answered. (SK)

Child abuse research has provided information on psychological sequelae of sexual molestation, with findings helpful in informing social policy and guiding mental health practice. Because of recency of interest, costs, and time investment associated with more rigorous longitudinal research, many studies have used correlational designs and…

Discusses problems researchers face when they want to describe relationship between several predictors and criterion variable. Considers ways of addressing problem of contribution of each predictor depending on which other predictors are in regression equation. Focuses on parallel information for each variable, examining initial and final…

Identifies questions in child psychopathology and delinquency that can best be answered by using longitudinal data and discusses advantages and problems of longitudinal studies. Reviews methodological issues arising in longitudinal research on child psychopathology and proposes solutions to problems. Contrasts retrospective and prospective designs…

Demonstrates low probability that nonequivalence will produce erroneous inferences in small samples. Sees probability of erroneous inference in absence of true treatment effect as generally no greater than nominal Type I error rate. Seems unlikely that small samples have biased inferences drawn from past psychotherapy outcome research. Cites other…

Investigates whether the measurement distinction between first- and second-order measures of cultivation results in operationalizations that are independent or related to one another. Finds that the two are related to a weak degree at a general level, but stronger relationships exist on a contingent analysis. (SR)

Investigated the lexical shift from British to American terms in New Zealand English. Surveys on speakers' lexical usage, perceptions, and attitudes identified various problems with previous research, suggesting that some American terms are not adopted because speakers identify and avoid them. The article disputes the assumption that lexical…