The article criticizes a previous article (EC 212 323) on the play behavior of hearing-impaired children in integrated or segregated settings. It notes the use of terminology suggesting author bias against special class or school placement and failure to consider such variables as level of auditory function and availability of manual communication…

Discusses methodological problems in the use of ecological analysis and pancultural analysis in cross-cultural analysis. Uses a case study to compare the use of cross-cultural analysis and a new procedure based on a within-culture standardization procedure. (FMW)

A methodology is developed based on axiomatic conjoint measurement to accompany a fertility decision-making model. The usefulness of the model is then demonstrated via an application to a study of contraceptive choice (N=100 male and female family-planning clinic clients). Finally, the validity of the model is evaluated. (TJH)

Summarizes and critiques 16 studies involving the cognitive and behavioral effects of aerobic exercise on children in both schools and clinical settings. Concludes that few studies concurrently measure physical and psychological changes that may accompany exercise in children and suggests methods for further investigation. (SW)

This paper discusses the problem of vague and inconsistent descriptions of individuals with learning disabilities in research reports, presents guidelines for the description of participants in small and large sample research studies, and makes suggestions for promoting compliance with the minimum standards. (Author/JDD)

Reviews research that provides connections between the constructs of emotional functioning and social competence in children, focusing on such areas as children's understanding and identification of emotions, emotion regulation, emotion display rules, sympathetic responding, and children's mood states. Finds some support for the idea that high…

To determine whether practice was consistent with recommended research methods, this study examined 130 studies reported over a 5-year period in the "Journal of Research in Science Teaching." Results show that appropriate generalizations beyond the confines of the reported studies may be impossible in most (64%) of the studies.…

Identifies and discusses some reasons why using periodical index subject categories as indicators can produce misleading results. Discusses methodological difficulties arising from historical and idiosyncratic changes in index subject category headings and subheadings. Argues that researchers using an index's subject categories should test not…

This literature review examines 10 areas related to employment of adults with learning disabilities: transitions to work, obtaining employment, type of employment, rate of employment, wages, job satisfaction, job success, effect of learning disabilities on work, compensatory strategies, and employer perceptions. Methodological issues, emergent…

The methods of 27 studies focusing on toy play among young children with mental retardation were reviewed. Considerable variability was noted with respect to sample characteristics, contextual parameters, and type of measurement. Researchers frequently neglected to provide potentially useful methodological information. Suggestions for future…

This paper addresses neglected questions in item response theory (IRT): measurement of ability or trait parameters and item difficulty in the Rasch model; measurement of individual change based on a Rasch test; and the general framework for detection of differential item functioning under the Mantel-Haenszel procedure. (SLD)

Reexamines the studies of K. S. Dobson regarding metaanalysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression using the Beck Depression Inventory as an outcome measure. Confirms Dobson's conclusions but shows that about half the difference between CT and other treatments was predictable from researcher allegiance. Comparable analysis of a later set…

Addresses methodological and ethical issues in context of three related school-based studies of primary and targeted prevention of depressive symptoms and disorder in high school adolescents. Issues discussed include obtaining subject consent and protection of confidentiality, minimizing attrition, unit of assignment issue, and ensuring therapist…

This commentary argues against assumptions of a paper (EC 608 301) on behavioral research methodology with individuals with developmental disabilities: (1) only knowledge deriving from integrated, community-based settings is relevant; (2) all research must immediately inform practice; and (3) there is little place for systematic study of behavior…

Argues that research on father-adolescent relationships must move beyond demonstrations of links between father behavior and adolescent outcomes (phase 1 findings) to research in which the pathway or processes linking father variables to adolescent variables are explicitly spelled out and examined (phase 2 findings). Suggests areas of future…