Explores the contribution of participant observation as a research method to the study of childhood. Discusses how participant observation permits a more comprehensive understanding of the process of friendship making than traditional sociometric techniques, and shows that, for the researcher, remembered experiences of participation and…

Demonstrates that when children select library books, there is a generalizable routine or pattern learned and followed by most children--refinements or elaborations on that routine, however, are best demonstrated by "outlier" behaviors atypical to the basic routine. Shows that children typically select books based upon the book's…

Explains that Girlfriend Theology is a method of religious education by which women who have found power, voice, and authority might nurture resilience in adolescent girls within faith communities. Relates one ninety-minute story session and addresses seven theoretical assertions that arose during four other Girlfriend Theology sessions. Includes…

Describes how two four-year-old boys, who stand out as leaders in their preschool classroom, interact with their peers and their teachers. (PCB)

This study is part of a longitudinal research endeavor to investigate hearing-impaired students' experience in teacher training. The first phase, reported here, examines qualitatively-assessed barriers three hearing-impaired students encountered during acclimation to the training program for teachers of the hearing impaired at one university. (PB)

Contends that classroom discussions of human memory often involve descriptions of classic memory experiments and the data from them. Presents the computer software program, MindLab, and describes two classroom memory experiments. Finds that students report the experiments enhance their understanding. (CFR)

Observed friendships of sixteen 4- to 5-year-olds during their transition to school. Found that important shared activities for friends over the transition included birthday parties, overnight stays, resource sharing, and reciprocal or complementary play. Only two dyadic friendships survived over the transition. Children with friends did not make…

Discussion of the need for ethical computing strategies and policies at the K-12 level to acculturate computer hackers away from malicious network hacking focuses on a three-year participant observation ethnographic study conducted at the New Technology High School (California) that examined the school's attempts to socialize its hackers to act…

Process evaluation helps us to understand the planning process. This predominantly qualitative approach explains how and why decisions are made and activities undertaken. The focus includes feelings and perceptions of program staff. The evaluator's ability to interpret and longitudinally summarize the experience of program staff and community…

The working relationship of two novice songwriters is examined in this ethnographic study, which highlights the importance of common goals and values in a songwriting collaboration. Stemming from this core there are a number of sub-themes: the pair saw a popular song as consisting of melody, harmony, and lyrics; they played on the strengths and…

Inspired by studies of apprenticeship and theories of situated learning, this study argues that learning should be understood in relation to ongoing social practice. Using interview material and participant observation studying piano students' learning at the Academy of Music in Aarhus, it describes how transparency and access to the music culture…

How can learning styles best be measured? Reid's (1984) Perceptual Learning Styles Preference Questionnaire has been widely used in ESL/EFL research to investigate learning styles. Previous research revealed concerns with the reliability and validity of the PLSPQ, leading the researchers to devise a new Learning Styles Indicator (LSI), based on…

Purpose: We explored self-rated health by using a meaning-centered theoretical foundation. Self-appraisals, such as self-rated health, reflect a cultural process of identity formation, whereby identities are multiple, simultaneously individual and collective, and produced by specific historical formations. Anthropological research in Philadelphia…

Scandinavia has long been admired by American liberals and sex education advocates who cite comparable rates of adolescent sexuality, yet lower rates of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and abortion in Scandinavia. The United States has, however, two variables with which Scandinavia in general, and Norway in particular, has not…

Quality assurance in medical education is a complex matter. Institutions and external critics of accreditation processes often question the objectivity of peer judgements. Members of accreditation panels similarly often feel at a loss for a lack of mechanisms to help them arrive at a collective assessment of the performance of an institution. In…