A major source of confusion in educational research comes when qualitative research is regarded as if it were one approach. Qualitative research has many varieties that can be identified and understood by using the notion of research traditions. Six approaches from the social and behavioral sciences are compared. (VM)

Scientific inquiry used in special education research has limited effectiveness and applicability to practice. Three interrelated areas are discussed in the context of improving research methodology and utilization: alternative approaches to research in special education; the class distinction between teachers and researchers; and practical…

New theories and paradigms are needed for today's schools to address the changes in society that affect education. They must acknowledge the history of schooling, and they must be informed by ethnographic research on teacher-student relationships. Social science knowledge must be used to create more humanized schools. (VM)

Describes the author's research with an African hunter-gatherer society and the collection of oral life histories of its members. Discusses five questions about the uses of personal narrative such as "Can personal narrative be used as ethnography?" Concludes that no better tool exists to describe the human condition than the personal…

Describes characteristics of questions in the ethnographic interview setting. Concentrates on the relational aspects of interviewing and on the issues of assumptions, categories, and scope. Applies ideas about questioning in general to work with child informants. (Author/LHW)

If one undertakes naturalistic evaluation without formal training, there are some important considerations and sources of information to keep in mind. Labor intensive qualitative approaches are discussed in terms of field relations, data collection and analysis, and writing. (Author/LMO)

Uses two intensive case studies of teachers to examine factors precipitating changes in teacher attitude and behavior over time. Data analysis indicates that two core processes--humanization process and rationalization process--produce shifts in work perspective. Discusses implications for teacher education. (SA)

Suggests a more literal definition of "classroom management" in reference to the role of the teacher. By focusing on the three overlapping and interacting sets of responsibilities carried by the manager--to the task, to the group, and to the individual--this approach attempts to put into perspective the multiple functions played by the teacher.…

Dobbert et al defend their model of cultural transmission. In answering eight commentaries, focus is on (1) their holistic perspective on learning; (2) their desire to occupy a middle ground between ethnographic detail and generalized law; and (3) their attempt to place their holistic thesis within the ethnographic tradition. (RDN)

Examines two instances where European based folklore has made its way to Canada via immigrant storytellers, Alice Kane's "Songs and Sayings of an Ulster Childhood," and Eva Martin and Laszlo Gal's "Canadian Fairy Tales." (RBW)

Used the odd-numbered Murdock-White Standard Cross Cultural Sample to test Brown's (1963) three hypotheses on female puberty rites. Found that only matrilocal/ambilocal residence was significantly associated with female puberty rites and suggests female physiology as a better predictor. (Author/JAC)

Examines the possibility that properties of family and kinship systems influence the status of the elderly independently of economic factors. Cross-cultural data are employed to support the hypotheses that the status of the elderly is directly related to the occurrence of unilocal (particularly patrilocal) customs of postmarital residence. (JAC)

Attempts to demonstrate that the ethnographic hypothesis is both culturally relevant and empirically grounded. It is noted that any hypothesis which lacks these attributes is inappropriate for cross cultural research. (Author/AM)

This report presents focal case studies of two working-class mothers who are building bridges between their individual homes and Parker Elementary (located in a small midwestern city) where both of their children attend school. The report delineates a study which examined how the literacy practices within the two women's households related to…

This paper discusses the controversial issue of educational resource allocation for the purpose of improving educational standards in secondary schools. The current dilemma is whether educational resources should be directed to increasing school-based resources or directed to supporting teacher training. The paper controversially argues that both…