Illustrates the differences between participatory action research (PAR) and action science by exploring Xerox Corporation's participatory action research (PAR) efforts. Points out practical limitations and conceptual gaps of PAR. Emphasizes that the key to valuable research is to meet the standards of appropriate rigor without sacrificing…

Provides brief analysis of methods for conducting research on distance education. Topics discussed include education research in general; qualitative versus quantitative research; the distinction between research and evaluation; the concept of triangulation as a research method; component research; and a conceptual framework for distance education…

Describes some of the primary features of educational criticism, an arts-based approach to qualitative inquiry. Examines the aims of this approach and discusses four dimensions of educational criticism: descriptive, interpretative, normative, and thematic. Addresses questions of rigor and identifies three criteria (consensual validation,…

Contrasts the epistemological assumptions and practices of qualitative methods with traditional quantitative methods, and promotes a conceptual cross-fertilization approach which will increase the credibility of both. Throughout, the article advocates both methodological diversity and rigor in the effort to understand spousal violence. (JPS)

Describes study that examined therapeutic alliance from the perspective of the involved client using phenomenological analysis. Three types of perceived alliance were identified: nurturant, insight-oriented, and collaborative. Findings suggest that some crucial features of the perceived working relationship are not accounted for in current…

Illustrations from a recent study of farm families who had lost a family member are used to illuminate some of the ethical challenges in qualitative bereavement research. Included in the exploration are ethics involved in interview recruitment, causing pain, informed consent, the boundaries of research and therapy, family dysfunction, and…

Author asserts that the community of science educators clearly has much to learn about qualitative research traditions and standards for the evaluation of qualitative research. Argues that the research question should direct the research approaches and data analysis procedures. (PR)

Author argues that the field of science education needs the significant contributions of a variety of researchers, engaged in many types of inquiry, all seeking to advance knowledge in the field. Presents examples of the following three approaches to inquiry: technical, practical, and emancipatory. (PR)

This study investigated trends in the number and types of research articles published in selected special education journals in 1968, 1977, and 1986. Approximately half of the articles were not data based. Qualitative research accounted for about 6 percent of the research. Relatively stable rates of quantitative and qualitative research were found…

Describes how microcomputer technology for processing textual data offers new options for the qualitative researcher in educational administration. Identifies both the potential benefits and limitations of such computer-assisted procedures, drawing on a study of local educational governance. Describes ETHNOGRAPH, a sophisticated, user-friendly…

Describes and interprets the processes that supervisors currently use in conference, relying on anthropological linguistics and other qualitative techniques. Reconstructs a contextual definition of the supervisor conference and suggests some implications for future supervisory study and practice. Supervisors' controlling behaviors make collegial…

Introduces this journal issue which is a symposium on the theory, methods, and applications of qualitative research in the field of library and information science. Highlights include a definition of qualitative research, models of qualitative research, distinguishing features of research practice, comparisons with quantitative research, and…

Summarizes a study that describes, interprets, and appraises the "ecological" character of two Waldorf schools to shed light on Waldorf education and education in general. Focuses on Waldorf educators' general intentions, what happens in classrooms, the educational significance of Waldorf theories and practices, and implications for…

This discussion of facilitated communication (FC) focuses on implications of conflicting views of retardation, science, and truth. Discussion supports FC and considers the normative view and the competence view of individuals with mental retardation, positivist and experiential approaches to research in mental retardation, and responses to…

Used qualitative analysis to explore role of ethnicity in Tinto's model of institutional departure and to suggest that the model can be strengthened by reconstructing concept of social integration based on qualitative analysis. Data from 24 Hispanic and Native American college students illustrated how ethnicity may influence social integration…