Explains symbolic interactionism as a theory for analyzing research based on a qualitative interpretive process that can help librarians to understand the way in which the library staff and users view services, training, policy, and other issues. The theory focuses on the symbolic meaning of objects, such as books, and events as they are…

Uses existing data to investigate differences in the rate that schools improved General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination results from 1991-98. Finds two variables impacted examination improvement: (1) low concentration of social disadvantage relative to other local schools; and (2) starting from a low base level of GCSE…

Examines qualitative data from three case-study schools to illuminate barriers to responsiveness facing socially disadvantaged schools and impeding school improvement. Highlights cumulative impact of contextual influences, which interact with internal school factors, particularly that of local school hierarchies and processes of labelling that…

Explores the reading-related perspectives of participants in a 10th-grade global studies class. States that the study was conducted according to the qualitative research tradition associated with symbolic interactionism. Finds that opinions of success differed between student and teacher: students felt success meant a good grade, and teachers felt…

Documents the multiple goals and implications of advice among white, middle-class, college students. Identifies three dilemmas of seeking, receiving, and giving advice: (1) advice may be seen as helpful or as "butting-in"; (2) advice may be experienced as honest or supportive; and (3) seeking and taking advice may enact respect and…

The presentation of case study research in this book is based on a disciplined, qualitative inquiry into a single case, rather than quantitative methodologies or case studies for instructional purposes. Practical suggestions are given for gathering and organizing data and for data interpretation and reporting. (SLD)

Studies how technical communicators use the Internet. Finds that the Internet plays a significant role in the work practices of technical communicators--respondents find the Internet helpful for contacting customers, obtaining updated technical information, and publishing online documentation, but they encounter company resistance and are…

Discusses quantitative and qualitative approaches in research on peer effects on student attainment, using two texts to argue that the definition of "effect" cannot be restricted to "statistical effect," and that institutional properties are not the sum of individual properties. Asserts that quantitative investigators have…

This study tried to take into account problems related to researching learning dissonance by applying qualitative research methods and carefully considering the criteria by which coherence or dissonance are diagnosed. Found very clear differences among students' study orchestrations in terms of coherence and dissonance; the orchestrations varied…

Investigates adults' long-term memory of mathematics learned in high school. Reports findings regarding the subjects' attempts to draw graphs of simple linear functions. Categorizes diverse responses to the task of drawing a graph of a linear function. Analyzes in detail three cases based on recall theories that explain the mechanism of recalling…

Addresses the relationships of qualitative researchers to the policy-making process. Uses the example of the Reading Excellence Act to demonstrate that qualitative researchers have many points of access to the policy-making process. Suggests qualitative researchers must provide relevant information, communicate in a straightforward manner,…

This paper describes the qualitative research studies reviewed by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood (DEC) for its Early Childhood Recommended Practices Project. These studies were more likely to address issues of families, policy, interdisciplinary models, and personnel preparation than other topic areas. Most…

This guide to using qualitative case study research in business education explains methodological steps and decisions, illustrated with examples from business research. It addresses data analysis and interpretation, including discussion of software tools. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

Describes the use of triangulation in research, a process that uses multiple measures or methods to examine a research question where a single data set would not be appropriate. Topics discussed include reliability; validity; concurrent validity; convergence; and problems in using analysis of variance as the only method to obtain data. (13…

Important differences in the theory and practice of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are highlighted. This article suggests that each of these methodologies can be improved by utilizing key ingredients of the other. (Author/IAH)