A total of 64 preschool children were assigned to one of three conditions--fantasy play, play, or imitation--with common objects, or to an alternative-materials group. Subjects were tested for associative fluency for familiar and novel objects, both immediately and after a delay of one week. No significant main effects for condition were found.…

Provides an introduction to the theme of this issue, the limits of educational research methodology. Advocates a combination of research methodologies and identifies three approaches to educational research. Includes sections on the nature of research and common research problems. (JDH)

This article identifies some of the unique characteristics of qualitative research, enumerates its areas of weakness, and offers solutions for overcoming these weaknesses. Concludes that the criticisms leveled at qualitative research and analysis can be applied to all research paradigms, and that qualitative research does work when it is done…

Reviews literature on the homeless reporting higher rates of psychiatric disorder, psychological distress, and previous psychiatric hospitalization compared to the general population. However, understandardized methodology and lack of consistent findings across studies prohibit reliable prevalence estimates of mental disorder among the homeless.…

Discusses the assumptions that ground radical, liberal, and socialist feminist theoretical frameworks, and reviews feminist media research. Argues that liberal feminism speaks only to White, heterosexual, middle and upper class women and is incapable of addressing most women's concerns. Concludes that socialist feminism offers the greatest…

Discusses the limitations of personal construct theory for research that investigates teachers' thinking. Argues that repertory grid studies, which are often a part of personal construct research, are inconsistent with personal construct theory. Outlines an approach more congruent with the personal construct method. (RKM)

This study of the stability of parent behaviors toward toddlers over a 3-week period used both aggregated and nonaggregated data. Comparison of stability correlations indicated higher stabilities for aggregated scores, with the level of stability increasing as scores from additional single sessions were aggregated. (PCB)

The developmental significance of unresponsive or uncooperative behavior of children in standardized developmental assessments made during the preschool years was investigated. Untestable children were significantly lower than testable children on a wide range of abilities at all ages from 12 through 72 months. (PCB)

Provides a set of guidelines for evaluating research using structural equation modeling (SEM). Offers insight into how someone familiar with SEM would judge the adequacy of a study using such methods. (Author/RH)

The author discusses some of the problems in measuring the incidence and employer costs of benefits. Problems discussed include (1) benefit plan flexibility, (2) integration of related benefits, (3) cost control, (4) contingent pay systems, (5) emerging benefits, and (6) differing measurement approaches. (CH)

Responds to Fogel's (1988) concerns about the validity and preferred uses of scaled monadic phases and introduces a note of caution about prematurely concluding that stochastic organization alone is of significance to development. (RH)

Discusses research methodology in general, and suggests ways of identifying what is and is not known in the field of reading. Points out that reading research has not yet investigated how adults and children read nonschool materials in nonschool settings. (ARH)

Highlights contributions sociologists can make to major social issues through an emphasis on theoretical ideas and analysis in graduate education. Concludes that recognition of the relationship between theoretical ideas and research procedures is necessary for greater sociological contributions. (Author/DH)

Based on the work of William Stephenson, the "Q methodology," formulated in 1935, is compared to classic oral history in a case study of urban renewal. Results showed the methods to be complementary, both providing the same general description of citizen reaction to the project. (JDH)

A total of 61 children from first through sixth grades participated in four balance-scale and four inclined-plane problem types in a study testing for invariance of subject classifications as rule-users across problems whose products differed but whose type did not. Results indicated that many children's classifications differed across…