This study examined actual implementation of inclusion as part of a district and university restructuring initiative. Participant observation and interviews did not find any movement of special education students to general education despite use of the term "inclusion." Two themes were seen to explain this failure to understand and implement…

The needs of international students on American campuses differ from their American counterparts. This exploratory qualitative study provides insight into the unique vocational situation of this population. A focus group of 28 international students discussed 15 open-ended questions. Results identifying areas of vocational need are presented and…

Comments on Reba Page's methods of teaching about interpretive research methodologies. Points to four potential problems: (1) students have little knowledge of underlying epistemological debates; (2) students are unaware of broader "conversations" between texts; (3) students have read little qualitative research; and (4) students must learn to…

Describes examples of standards frameworks for principals' work operant in three countries and describes an alternative approach based on interviewing 40 Australian principals. By combining qualitative case studies with probabilistic measurement techniques, the alternative approach provides contextually rich descriptions of growth in performance…

Studied the experiences of reentry women in psychology doctoral programs at a research university and illustrates the usefulness of the qualitative case study in exploring women's experiences. Case study research can be a powerful tool for feminist researchers. (SLD)

The case-study method used in "Understanding Graduate Women's Reentry Experiences" yielded personal information of considerable depth, but the conclusions drawn from the study are not all that different from those drawn from more quantitative investigations. Suggests that a multimethod approach is the best research strategy. (SLD)

Focus groups of six instructors and 21 physical-therapy students examined separately clinical and classroom experience. Results revealed (1) a mismatch between student and faculty expectations; (2) student preference for passive learning; (3) concern about teacher/student relationships; (4) student anxiety about career expectations; and (5)…

Considers the workings and effects of The Innovation and New Technology Programme in Norway, describing the design of the evaluation and the use of a centrally established control group to assess programs results. Uses results from innovation theory to appraise the aims and working methods of the program and a combination of quantitative and…

This qualitative study of children's narratives examined how 8- to 14-year olds experienced removal from parents and placement into foster care. Issue-focused analysis indicated that the children's narratives portray a progression of traumatizing events ensuing from the placement processes. The narrative from a well-handled placement suggests…

Discusses the use of a student learning journal for collecting course effectiveness data at the University of Technology (Sydney, Australia). Qualitative data from the journals include students' developing perceptions of course content, structure, and activities over a period of time. Addresses issues regarding validity, confidentiality, and data…

This paper addresses the conceptual issues of combining qualitative and quantitative methods in early intervention research by illustrating how two analytic approaches were used for different mixed-method purposes in the study of preschool inclusion. It describes practical strategies for conducting mixed-method data analysis in terms of data…

Reports a qualitative examination of five institutions of higher education whose African American, white, and Latina women graduates achieved a measurable degree of postbaccalaureate success. Identifies eight women-friendly characteristics, including having high academic expectations, having a clear sense of mission and history, providing positive…

Describes a study of undergraduates that was conducted to identify the differences between individual and collaborative reflection using a qualitative approach. The results of journals and tape-recorded group reflection activities showed that collaborative reflection leads to a higher level of thinking such as metacognitive thinking. (Author/LRW)

Investigates children's understanding of rules by observing 5-,6-, and 7-year olds engaging in unrestricted group activity as they built and played with a bridge. Reveals that the children's tendency to develop and change rules demonstrated their understanding of rules that were not associated with the rules of adults. (CMK)

Describes the participant-observer experience of two graduate students in an independent study in a high school. The focus was on the process of being a qualitative researcher rather than on the research topic. The students applied a variety of research strategies to learn about different aspects of schooling. (MMU)