Education, as a field of research, is not clear-cut, well-defined and delimited; it encompasses humanities and behavioral and social sciences. Although expectations about educational research outcomes helping to frame policy and improve practice are frequently unrealistic, the different methodological approaches are not necessarily in conflict.…

Results of a qualitative exploration of faculty response to the reconfiguring of organizational finances, structure, and mission illustrate the impact of reconfiguration on departmental and organizational culture at an institution of higher education. The change process and the dynamics of faculty interpretation, experience, and perspective of…

Describes a study allowing parents involved in an alternative-education plan to express opinions about the ideal educational environment for their children. The meaning of parents' involvement experiences can be expressed in two broad themes: maintaining and creating connections; and acknowledging a changing and developing self. Parents who…

This qualitative study analyzed unstructured, open-ended interviews with 11 children in grades 1 through 6 identified as having specific learning disabilities. Analysis suggested that the children fabricated stories about where they went during resource time, not being able to read, and being called names and feeling bad about themselves.…

Describes a trial use of electronic mail to interview academic teachers on how they plan subject courses. Advantages of electronic interviewing, such as cost and convenience, and issues, including complying with network etiquette, are discussed. A copy of part of the electronic interview used in the trial is appended. (Contains two references.)…

This article describes a series of qualitative and quantitative methods used to test a community-based needs assessment model that is bias free and socioculturally relevant for indigenous populations. Results of a field test involving 100 Hawaiian children are presented, and implications for policy formation are discussed. (SLD)

This article suggests the use of structural equation modeling in special education research, to analyze multivariate data from both nonexperimental and experimental research. It combines a structural model linking latent variables and a measurement model linking observed variables with latent variables. (Author/DB)

Ideas concerning giftedness in young children were examined in this qualitative multisite case study with four experienced primary (kindergarten and first grade) teachers. Findings indicated that teachers saw two dimensions to giftedness: classroom performance and affective style. (Author/DB)

Research as a means to advocacy is discussed in this commentary on the research articles published in volume 16, issue 3 of "Remedial and Special Education." The role of quantitative and qualitative methods is considered, along with the researcher's ideological perspectives on research, and the importance of generating knowledge that promotes…

Examined the effect of sociodramatic play on the literacy learning of first graders. Found that sociodramatic play provided a vehicle through which the players practiced what they knew about literacy and provided an opportunity to think about literacy in the context of various play themes. Adult mediation enhanced the players' incorporation of…

New research on teaching involves qualitative, or ethnographic, methods. It is highly descriptive and often relies on narrative inquiry, which is embedded with messages about power, justice, and inequality. The new research relies on language and dialogue, using metaphors, stories, biographies, autobiographies, conversations, exemplars,…

The evaluation of a science education project for teachers in Durban (South Africa) illustrates some problems inherent in the application of the fourth-generation evaluation approach of Guba and Lincoln. One of the strongest concerns is that full participation by stakeholders may be an unrealistic assumption. (SLD)

Eight sixth grade gifted students verbalized their thoughts as they worked on figural task drawings. Analysis of resulting data indicated that the process variables of Story Weaving, Association Shifting, and Vantage were more frequently evidenced by subjects producing more original products, whereas Content Bound Linking was associated with…

A study was arranged in a pre/postexperimental/control design, in which fifth graders in the experimental group viewed 30 half-hour telecasts of "Square One TV." Results indicated significant gains for the treatment group both in diversity of problem-solving capabilities and in measures of completeness and sophistication of mathematical…

Discusses the frequent misconception displayed by students that chromosome structure is a function of chromosome number or ploidy. Provides detailed analyses of the evidence concerning the prevalence of this ploidy/structure misconception among students of introductory genetics and the potential sources for inaccurate communication that it can…