Explores ethical issues related to doing qualitative research and examines harm as it is conceptualized within the qualitative inquiry literature. Serves as an examination of professional standards, administrative practices, and methodological procedures that reveal the different kinds of harm that are inevitable outcomes of qualitative inquiry.…

Reviews information that will assist in the development of evaluation efforts for school-based health centers (SBHCs). A review of evaluation theory, ideas for evaluation of SBHCs, challenges to implementing research in schools, and future directions for evaluation efforts are presented. (Contains 52 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)

Identifies research problems that arise in analysis of audio and video records of teachers' collaborative work, presenting a segment of interaction from a work group of teachers engaged in jointly planning a 9th-grade English course and using excerpts to illustrate the system of analysis. The paper concludes with a conceptual scheme for…

Problems in the measurement of latent variables (LVs) in structural equations causal models are presented, with examples from recent empirical studies. Main issues addressed are (1) two general types of increased operative variables; (2) criteria for indicators of LVs; and (3) disattenuation effects in LV models. (SLD)

Criticizes the methodology of a questionnaire-based study that found a discrepancy between the beliefs of sexually active adolescents about condoms and their use of condoms. Discusses six methodological problems in the study to demonstrate how the overly simplified treatment of complex behavior can lead to invalid conclusions. (FMW)

Agrees with Susan Allan's article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue that ability grouping research is often misinterpreted--to the disservice of students. Reviewers should distinguish among three types of programs that differ according to curricular adjustment and acceleration effects. Blanket condemnation of all three types is…

Calls for a new research agenda, one that makes explicit the connection between academics and the objects of their research. Argues that the research agenda itself must be scrutinized in the hope of expanding and sharpening an understanding of what questions to raise. (DB)

This paper contends that weaknesses of the best-evidence synthesis conducted by R. E. Slavin concluding that ability grouping in secondary school has no effects on student achievement are ignoring instructional and curricular differences; relying almost solely on standardized test scores; and relying too heavily on experimental research. (SLD)

Advocates focus group research, in which a homogeneous group led by a trained moderator discusses a carefully selected research question, as a qualitative tool well suited for community colleges. Offers case studies and the following guidelines: establish collegewide administrative procedures, carefully select/train on-campus moderators, and…

Simulation studies were used to explore the relationship between Type I error rates (statistical conclusion validity) and multiple testing in data sets exhibiting varying degrees of independence. Implications for reporting and interpreting educational data are discussed, and methods of determining or reducing Type I error incidence are presented.…

Standards relating to sampling methodology are summarized, deviations from these standards in a random sample of 30 research reports are identified, and specific recommendations for improving sampling methods to enhance research applicability for practice are made. A high proportion of the studies examined had at least one major sampling…

Measurement of physical activity patterns is discussed in terms of data obtained by attitude assessment, activity questionnaires, personal monitoring devices, and fitness assessment. Problems of each technique are described. Application of activity measures to the estimation of total dietary needs is discussed. (SK)

A study examining the evaluation components of merit pay programs in Illinois suggests that such components significantly influence a program's success or failure. Merit pay programs should incorporate evaluation systems tht emphasize their formal purpose, target variables related to effective teaching, and utilize sound data collection…

Offers a framework blending sociologists' focus on school organization and educational stratification with economists' explicit attention to individual response to incentive structures. Examines whether minority, low economic status, and/or noncollege-bound youths receive weaker incentives for school effort. The variables examined cannot account…

Complains that the relevance of research to educational reform evaporated in 1985 when the William Bennett/Chester Finn team began to promote reform by rhetoric. A reorganized Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) then abandoned plans to forge a strong link between researchers and practitioners. (MLH)