This introductory monograph in this volume on research and practice in higher education reports a study that examined perspectives (shared, differing, or divergent) of practitioners and researchers on higher education literature. The study found these groups had noticeably different viewpoints. However, results suggest that both researchers and…

A randomized survey of Kentucky college and university faculty showed they were more familiar with the Kentucky Education Reform Act's goals than with assessment or accountability issues. Most support restructuring goals but do not believe that KERA-educated students will be better prepared to enter their institutions than formerly. KERA has not…

Describes focus-group activities designed to generate information for use in decision making about core and elective courses in a library and information science (LIS) curriculum. Discusses how focus-group activity fits with LIS program review. Also includes questions asked and responses; and feeding opinions into a decision apparatus. (AEF)

Discusses the experiential activities that are used in a graduate course on qualitative research that addresses focus groups, observation, data collection, cultural sensitivity, ethnomethodology, data analysis, and morals and ethics in research. Explains that students participate in an activity in which they defend qualitative research. (CMK)

A lack of gender-sensitive computer games exacerbates female disinterest in technology. Girls-only focus groups revealed phenomena that may help software developers awaken girls' enthusiasm for computing. For instance, girls placed a premium on richly textured video and audio, on collaborating rather than competing, on interacting with male…

A study explored maternal response to the diagnosis of mental retardation in children using a focus group of six mothers. Findings identified four themes: differences between antenatal and postnatal diagnosis; a cycle of bereavement; issues relating to causation; and examples of poor interpersonal skills from medical personnel. (Contains…

Focus groups were used to explore emergent issues for men in early childhood education. Preservice teachers, classroom teachers, and male professors identified six categories of issues, including low salaries, family and other influences on entering the field, teaching beyond the basics, improvement of preservice education, recruitment of males,…

The West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships program and West Virginia Extension Service played primary roles as community gatekeepers in helping researchers involve rural residents in focus groups to elicit cultural perspectives on diabetes and its management. The collaboration helped researchers gain entry to rural communities and…

Using teacher surveys and focus groups, a University of Minnesota study examined the effects of changing school starting times on school operations at all levels and on the community. The least desirable start time was 9:40 a.m. at middle schools. Later schedules benefited high school students. No one schedule can accommodate everyone. (MLH)

A theory of belonging is used as a framework for analyzing and interpreting focus group data from seven congregations in the Black church tradition. Findings suggest that church membership reflects the need to belong with a group rather than to a group. Within this context multiple dimensions of the self find opportunities for expression. (Author)

This study aimed to advance understanding of how doctoral students perceive postmodernism's influence in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Focus group interviews were utilized to investigate perceptions of MFT doctoral students. Findings suggest participants are attracted to postmodern tenets but also feel liberation and confusion…

Project ProBase (problem-based technology curriculum) is a National Science Foundation funded project designed to develop an innovative curriculum that more adequately prepares high school technology education students for success in advanced technical studies at the community college level. The purpose of the project is to design and test…

This article presents a study whose purpose was to examine how the educational system functions following the assimilation of a technological environment and how the relationships between the subsystems are affected and affect each other following this change. The study took place over the course of three years in schools in the State of Israel…

Three focus group interviews with multiple men from every fraternity at a small to midsized public university were conducted to study the fraternal culture with regard to alcohol and consent in sexually intimate encounters. Specifically, fraternity men were asked to share their experiences with asking for consent after one or both parties have…

Although many studies have looked at adjustment problems of foreign students, there is very little literature on African students studying specifically at a historically black institution. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and investigate the factors that cause adjustment problems for African students enrolled in the Spring…