This article presents knowledge about disability issues that seven undergraduate students constructed through participation in a semester-long service learning class. In-depth interviews and examination of reflective journals revealed that students used their experiences to question the nature of relationships with people with disabilities, the…

A qualitative evaluation of the system for appraisal of headteachers in the United Kingdom identifies strengths and weaknesses of the approach taken and directions for future policy development. Data came from interviews with 15 headteachers. Inadequate resources, appraisal criteria, and performance standards hamper the evaluation system. (SLD)

Uses a study about children's experience of asthma to show that qualitative research with children has inherent difficulties relating to access and ethical and developmental issues. Asserts that because of children's stage of development and the asymmetrical relationship between researcher and informants, adequate safeguards and awareness of these…

This case study used individualized communication for interviewing people with intellectual disability in outcome and quality of life research. Researchers developed a flexible communication strategy for involving service users, drawing on core, local and individual vocabularies and using signs, graphic symbols and photographs to supplement spoken…

Reviews dilemmas in using qualitative research methods, drawing on information from research that examined the impact of prior experience on Hong Kong student teachers' learning to teach. The article reviews the research process regarding: credibility of the researcher and rigor of the methods and techniques used. Results highlight the importance…

Describes a qualitative study of student and tutor perspectives on the assessment of an innovative undergraduate course at the Open University (United Kingdom), which has employed an activity-based approach. Discusses the relationship between assessment, student participation, and the development of skills, and outlines the priorities for the…

Presents three conference papers from the Association of Library and Information Science Education 1990 Annual Conference that deal with the role of qualitative research in information settings. Highlights include qualitative methodology in cultural institutions; emphasizing the user; and two studies on information management, one using…

Samples 10 each of primary, secondary and special schools as a means of investigating the development of curricula for children experiencing learning difficulty. Describes the method of qualitative data analysis. Develops a model of the curriculum development process based on the interrelationships of the categories found in the analysis. (KO)

This article describes the methodology of a four-study research program designed to develop a grounded theory of pupil learning in elementary classrooms. Findings illustrate the relationship of instructional contexts, content variables, and pupil behavior and utterances to short-term and long-term learning. (Author/IAH)

Focuses on the international industry of merchant shipping to explore strategies used to promote organizational change over the past 20 years. This case study emphasizes the advantages of melding knowledge and action in participatory action. Points out the importance of the design and management of industry-level forums in assuring the success.…

Describes the processes by which an educable mentally retarded high school student was placed and trained to work in a family-operated dairy. Outlines the task analysis procedure used by his job coach during five weeks of training. (SV)

Discusses teaching qualitative research methodology to graduate education students. Advocates creating a social context for classroom learning, as opposed to the traditional experiential approach. Includes examples of three course descriptions. (FMW)

Describes three qualitative research approaches used at Oakton Community College to provide insights into student experience as well as college assessment and promotion activities. Indicates that, when used with quantitative research, qualitative research results in a more comprehensive and realistic appraisal of student outcomes and institutional…

An 18-month qualitative study documented the implementation of a shared-leadership environment in an elementary school. Data from faculty and the leadership team indicated positive perceptions concerning collaboration and the development of an atmosphere of open communication, although respondents expressed disappointment with the level of…

Quantitative and qualitative observations were made of the classroom interactions of four teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL; two male and two female) to assess gender-specific behavior. All but one showed remarkable equality in their classroom interactions with the genders. (SLD)