Analyzed data from two data sets in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health Wave I to identify discrepancies between in-school questionnaire and in-home interview results. Identified a group of "jokester" adolescents likely to have identified themselves as adoptees, when they were not. Found evidence suggesting that this…

Reviews major perspectives through which social exclusion has been examined in developmental and social psychological research and examines their limitations. Maintains that Killen et al.'s findings raise questions about attempts to account for social exclusion solely in terms of broad variables, such as prejudice, and point to the importance of…

Reviews methodological problems of previous research on male perpetrators of sexual violence. Discusses the need for a rigorous methodology in defining the extent of the problem. Proposes an aggressive new research agenda that would examine men's prosocial behavior. (KW)

A critical issue is restoring education's central role--preparing people to live in a democracy, not a "government-industrial complex." Education should not be a training ground for business and industry. Common schools should be championed, not demeaned. Choice and charter school options must be more objectively evaluated. Better…

Provides an overview of ethical issues related to social research with children. Sets discussion in context of current debates in Britain and explores extent to which children should be regarded as similar to or different from adults, particularly children's supposed position as vulnerable, incompetent, and relatively powerless in society. Offers…

Criticizes methodological tendencies of economics and sociological researchers who do not ask "how large is large?" Reliance on statistical significance and existence theorems shows the limits of formalistic rather than humanistic research approaches. Argues that serious scholars develop whole arguments and understand the rhetoric of…

Explains the use of literature reviews on crime and criminality to teach about research problems in an undergraduate sociology course. Using James Q. Wilson and Richard Herrstein's "Crime and Human Nature" sourcebook that provided a comprehensive literature review, students examined a subset of original articles summarized in the review.…

Ten articles on the use of multilevel data in educational research are presented. Topics include model specification and building, analytical procedures, aggregation bias, least squares statistics, hierarchical linear models, significance testing, and testing multilevel product-process networks. (TJH)

Reports on a study that tested methods to control or reduce spurious response in order to improve survey technique. Examines two methods of controlling spurious response: alerting respondents that some questionnaire items are false, and using the "don't know" response option. Finds that only the "don't know" option actually…

Discussion of research problems in instructional technology emphasizes two main needs: (1) development of a prescriptive research methodology; and (2) more front end analysis that produces a distinction between instructional design research and instructional development research. Two examples of research using the prescriptive technology approach…

Refutes MacLean's critique of two instruments: the Education Participation Scale and the Personality and Educational Environment Scale. Major arguments center on sample size, predictive validity, reliability, deficiency and growth motivation, research methodology, and inclusion of up-to-date research. (39 references) (SK)

Presents a synthesis and overview of literature on identity development in the childhood and adolescence of young people in ethnic and minority groups in the United States. (PCB)

Discusses problems involved with surveying and assessing literacy rates in developing nations. Defines current debates over literacy measurement, classification, and surveying. Examines and questions current assumptions linking literacy policy and economic development. Describes models for surveying and measuring literacy and numeracy skill…

The use of the expert-novice technique in science education is examined critically. Discussed are four techniques including their methodological limitations. Improvements and alternatives in experimental design are suggested. (Author/CW)

Reconsiders S.M. Lipset's thesis on value differences between Canadians and Americans. Uses data from national surveys to test Lipset's argument. Analyses reveal no national differences or differences that are opposite to those hypothesized by Lipset. Speculates on contemporary reasons for new findings. Discusses inherent difficulties associated…