Continuing the interchange of ideas about evaluation methodology, the authors argue the advisability of using the entire array of methods to produce useful and persuasive findings. There is, ultimately, a truth to be sought, but no one approach has a monopoly on finding it. (SLD)

There is little residue from the cooperative action research movement of the 1940s and 1950s. So far, teachers have found educational research applications of little use. Action research must originate in the classroom. Researchers are advised to keep it simple, become an effective classroom consultant, learn how teachers think, and be modest in…

A qualitative study of 12 women superintendents identified seven success strategies: balancing role- and gender-related responsibilities; focusing on caring for children; communicating meaningfully in a "feminine," indirect way; refusing to act like men; letting go of gender expectations that block success; becoming fearless risk-takers with…

Analysis of a qualitative study of 100 eighth graders investigating the use of hypertext for story writing revealed areas of interest to students and teachers. Discusses the use of pictures, collaboration, screen-based writing, nonlinear writing, and student oral presentations with LCD projectors. Suggests further research in the use of hypertext…

Considers qualitative research the authors (both education professors) conducted while teaching an ethics course in different semesters over seven years. Examines and deconstructs personal and professional codes of ethics, including their own and those of doctoral students. The study found that students' professional and personal ethics codes…

The author, formerly a principal, examines her experience as a research subject to demonstrate the harmful potential of qualitative research that tries too hard to "emancipate" participants. She herself became a casualty of invasive inquiry, defined as a violation of self. Personalization of study findings is ill-advised. (24 references)…

Analyzes a school-improvement process's potential to foster professional community in three rural middle schools through organizational learning. Findings of a two-year qualitative case study reveal bureaucracy/community tensions and isolate four influential community-building factors: principal leadership, organizational history, organizational…

Presents an overview and discussion of the relative importance of various categories of significant influences and formative life experiences on the development of an environmental educator's knowledge and concern for the environment. Data is presented from three European countries and engages in both location-specific and cross-cultural…

Reports and discusses data from an ethnographic study of teacher educators in which a metaphor for teachers' work as bricolage generates a hypothesis about teacher education as a conservative determinant of teachers' work. Discusses the results and reasons why the theoretical adequacy of the bricolage explanation needs improvement. (DSK)

This qualitative study of rocking in four congenitally blind children, ages 10 to 13, used in-depth interviews, observations, psychomotor assessments, and reviews of school and other records. Findings revealed similarities in the children's early medical histories, delays in motor development, constraints on vigorous movement, and limited peer…

Examines the nature of transformational leadership and its relation to teachers' changed practices within the context of two Dutch large-scale innovations. Results revealed three dimensions of transformational leadership (vision, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation) and their significant effects on teachers' concerns, learning…

Presents results of a policy study of implementation of the transition mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Five "model sites" and four "representative sites" were identified and visited. Results of the cross-case analysis focus on factors supporting and posing challenges to implementation. (Author/DB)

Discusses the study of teacher researchers undertaking research into self-chosen aspects of their own mathematics teaching at the secondary level by using qualitative methods to explore the processes and practices of this research and the issues that it raised. Emphasizes that emergent theory of teachers' research activity fit strongly with a view…

Cognitive, emotional, and relational characteristics among 10 peer-nominated master therapists were identified through qualitative-research methods. Analysis produced a set of nine characteristics that are found in master therapists. Findings suggest that researchers studying therapist expertise may want to explore emotional and relational…

Offers a nonparticipant observation exercise that allows students to engage in research quickly, while keeping in mind constraints created by one-semester introductory courses. Discusses the selection of observation sites and topics, ethics and policies of human-subject research, procedures for taking notes, classroom discussion of student…