Extends a previous study examining the relationship between reading comprehension and thinking skills by using an "on-line" reporting procedure in which undergraduate subjects reported on their reading during the process of reading. Reports that the extent of a reader's background knowledge affects the order of processing as well as the kinds of…

Proposes that ethnography is a useful tool for helping teachers understand the cultural context of their students. Examines a high school writing lab, emphasizing the role of the tutor. Describes the experiences of the writing lab staff in learning the culture of adolescents through ethnography. (RS)

The collaborative five-phase process of an action research team's two-year project in a New Hampshire junior high school is described. This qualitative study sheds light on team experiences, developmental phases, interpersonal tasks/issues, group processes, outcomes, and staff-development experiences. Team meetings/projects create an outlet for…

Defines Participatory Action Research (PAR) as involving practitioners in the research process and building objectives into the research design. Discusses the history of organizational behavior research, listing the lessons learned from the Hawthorne study. Views current research as following either the course of "normal social science"…

Discusses qualitative research and its application to educational evaluation. Approaches discussed include the following: (1) ethnography; (2) naturalistic inquiry; (3) generic pragmatic (sociological) inquiry; (4) connoisseurship/criticism; (5) metaphors; and (6) phenomenography. (FMW)

Studies the responses of four teachers to errors made in oral reading. Concludes that although they used more than one strategy, the "tell" method of instant correction was used far more often than any other. Urges reading teachers to determine which methods are best for each student. (RS)

A qualitative research project with 71 successful adults with learning disabilities found that their individual achievements shared commonalities which can be taught and learned. A model of vocational success is presented which inculcates behaviors that facilitate adult adjustment. The model's focus is on student strengths rather than weaknesses.…

This article is a critical review of the 1992 "Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education." The article examines diverse approaches to qualitative field research, discusses ambiguous relationships between education and parent disciplines, notes how the collection represents current dialogue, and examines chapters on critical ethnology. (SM)

The role of the principal in a school that was part of a district's effort to reform teacher evaluation was studied. The principal's role shifted from writing reports about teachers every three years to helping teachers with their professional growth and working to foster a collegial school culture. (SLD)

Presents results of a qualitative study of problem solving in the domain of instructional design. Novice and expert instructional designers worked on a "think aloud" design task, and their instruction protocols were analyzed for problem-solving processes. Analysis revealed that experts and novices used divergent design models and…

Describes specific problems related to the issues of confidentiality and subjectivity in a qualitative research project concerning social dynamics in a music education classroom. Argues that the nature of the observer/participant relationship creates complex problems involving confidentiality and subjectivity. (MJP)

Based on the experiences of two women completing their doctoral programs, these case studies offer information about the components of mentoring relationships that facilitate women's performance in higher education, including psychosocial support, role modeling, and professional development. (JPS)

Learners in an English for specific purposes workshop in northeast Thailand determined and accomplished their own objectives through the use of logbooks. Analyses of logbook writings and videotaped comments and observations showed the usefulness of logbooks as an available source of assessment information and future program planning. (Contains…

Provides case studies of indigenous pedagogies in native populations in Canada and the Philippines. Suggests that these approaches to pedagogy have created opportunities for the educational development of indigenous groups. Describes an alternative model of education based on the case studies, highlighting the notion of democracy as a daily…

The relationships of task complexity, necessary information types, information channels and sources are analyzed at the task level on the basis of a qualitative investigation. Data were collected in a public administration setting, and the findings indicate systematic and logical relationships among the factors analyzed. (54 references)…