Many students are not skilled "thinkers" or "problem solvers." Extensive research has been conducted to describe the mental processes involved in problem solving in the hope of establishing a theoretical basis for training students to become more adept at reasoning. Certain problems become evident, however, when reviewing literature for designing…

The paper reviews some of the research literature relating to self concept and deafness. In summarizing the relevant research, attention was given to the types of questions to which researchers have sought answers, the theoretical orientations which have guided investigations, and the kinds of methodological problems which have characterized…

Factor analysis can be a valuable tool for assessing validity; however, the reliabilities of identified factors must be attended to. This study examined the impacts of item variance on factor stability and structure. The attempt was to determine empirically whether unnumbered graphic scales scored using a larger number of scale steps produce more…

The four papers in a symposium on the cost effectiveness of community schools are presented here, with a brief introduction. The first paper outlines the procedures necessary for an analysis of cost-effectiveness and identifies the problems in applying this analysis to community schools, including variable selection and measurement and value…

This document deals with a common problem: the fact that "needs assessment" is often required by law and regulation, but there is little agreement on what the term means or what the process entails. The uses and definitions of the term "needs assessment" are examined and categorized along with the various methodologies which are ascribed to it.…

This paper discussed Consortium for Longitudinal Studies findings which demonstrate that, contrary to first impressions from earlier evaluation studies, early intervention preschool programs do have generally positive long term effects. A public information campaign to communicate these findings through all media is advocated. Problems of…

Anthropological fieldwork is characterized as the most human methodology of the social sciences. Fieldwork brings the researcher into intimate relationships with the host people and facilitates perception of the unexpected activity of general social processes and understanding the initially perplexing conduct of the hosts. Fieldwork also has…

This paper provides an introduction to social science and historical materials on Asian Americans. The first part examines perspectives which guide recent research and some of the limitations of existing work. The second part contains two extensive lists of materials: (1) a list of bibliographic sources and literature reviews dealing with Asian…

The effectiveness of sex research models which measure adolescents' feelings of political alienation is investigated and discussed and a new model is formulated. The six models include life dissatisfaction, personal depreciation, critical perceptions of political reality, irrational beliefs, perceptions of political threat, and cognitive…

As part of a symposium on challenges and problems of adult education researchers in different settings, recent research activities at one private independent research organization were examined. Three projects of the American Instituties for Research (AIR) were reviewed, all relating to adult development and aging. The first examined career…

VERY LITTLE IMPORTANT RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE IN THE FIELD OF LANGUAGE ARTS, AND THE RESEARCH INTEREST IN THAT FIELD ENDS WITH THE PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH REPORTS WHICH OFFER PRONOUNCEMENTS RATHER THAN RESEARCH EVIDENCE. THE PURPOSES OF RESEARCH OR HOW ITS FINDINGS COULD BE USED HAVE NOT BEEN CLARIFIED. THERE IS ALSO BLIND ACCEPTANCE OF WHAT…

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESPONDING TO GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS USUALLY RESTS WITH STUDENT PERSONNEL PROGRAMS, WHICH CONSIST OF SERIES OF RELATED FUNCTIONS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM, RESPOND TO STUDENT NEEDS, AND FOSTER INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO DETERMINE THE ADEQUACY OF FULFILLMENT OF…

THIS EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON (1) STIMULATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RESEARCH DIRECTIONS, DESIGNS, AND TECHNIQUES FOR 11 DIFFERENT FIELDS OF EDUCATION, (2) ASSESSING THE UTILIZATION OF RESEARCH SPONSORED BY THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM (CRP) AND PARTICIPATION IN CRP, ESPECIALLY BY SMALL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND…

A relationship between experimental and statistical controls is considered in an effort to show how this relationship affects the power of an experiment. Statistical rather than experimental controls are often used to reduce the effect of subjects at the extremes of individual difference. This results in attrition of actual experimental subjects.…

This paper focuses on theoretical and methodological problems in social psychological research on the culturally different. Major problems in using experimental approaches are discussed: (1) the reactive nature of the experiment; (2) selection bias; (3) experimenter bias; and (4) value and ethical problems. The field experiment and combined field…