Reviews major paradigms that differ from positivistic research tradition of reductive experimentation. Describes naturalistic-ethnographic, phenomenological, and cybernetic paradigms in terms of their conceptual base, methodological characteristics, applications, types of research questions they can address, and strengths and limitations. Proposed…

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)

Argues that school improvement efforts have not been examined carefully, comprehensibly, sensibly, and sensitively enough. Describes Canada's reform attempts which abandon isolated inservice education efforts, recognize that problems in implementing school reforms need to be addressed, and recognize that the school must be the focal point of…

Defines the value of classroom research in terms of three paradoxes: (1) it steps back by taking an intimate look; (2) it yields a holistic view but also reveals the dynamics of its parts; and (3) it is a unique whole and a part of inquiry into language and learning. (RS)

It is argued that quantitative research methods used alone often fail to adequately capture the complexities of spoken interaction; the inclusion of qualitative analysis can produce a greater insight into the functions of different interactive strategies and provides a valuable additional perspective to research into gender differences. (Contains…

This article explores two issues in conducting qualitative research: (1) the essentials of data collection, and (2) the unique role of the researcher in the data collection process. The author's own research study on use of health and medical information by various members of a classroom team for special education students is used to illustrate…

This interview with two leaders in gifted education brings out their thoughts on enrichment, characteristics of a good "model," their Enrichment Triad Model, qualitative methods of research and outcome assessment in gifted education, difficulties teachers have applying the Enrichment Triad Model, and parent teacher cooperation. (DB)

Describes the uses of focus groups (i.e., a form of qualitative research involving a small group of respondents and moderator in an unstructured group discussion) in community college research. Discusses what can be learned from focus groups, focus group projects conducted in several community colleges, and problems researchers may encounter.…

Evaluation as a field has moved beyond debating whether certain designs are good while others are bad to begin to appreciate that each of a group of designs may have its uses. The importance of good designs that reflect real-world complexities is increasingly being recognized. (SLD)

The authors of EC 610 841 comment on problems encountered in their research, such as difficulties in analyzing interview data, and discuss their ongoing three-year study of personal and environmental influences affecting attrition of special education teachers. (DB)

Data were analyzed from the postcollege phase of a 7-year longitudinal study of college students' (n=101) epistemological development. The data revealed that the gender-related patterns of relational and impersonal knowing that these students demonstrated during college were integrated into postcollege experience in work, education, and personal…

This qualitative study of 7 speech/language and classroom teachers using facilitated communication with 17 students utilized a portfolio approach to document students' abilities to communicate with facilitation (such as typing information not known to facilitators). Sixteen students were judged to have confirmed their typing/communication ability.…

Describes qualitative investigation of counselor trainees perceptions during multicultural counseling course. Student responses addressed class events, perceived changes in thinking and feeling, desired changes, issues hindering change, between-class thoughts, unexpected benefits, and immediate concerns. Results highlight importance of…

Investigates differences in children's concepts of death as reflected in their drawings in terms of gender and age differences. Four age groups of children (n=431) were asked to draw their impression of the word death and to give a verbal commentary. Analysis of the drawings indicated that conceptual categories were found to be both age and gender…

Three case studies of Third World development illustrate the usefulness of qualitative research methods such as CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product), oneshot interviews, and grounded theory. Adjusting technology to people and cultures rather than changing people to fit technology is advocated. (SK)