Evaluation of an intergenerational shared-site program included observations and videos of 20 children and 27 elders. Interpersonal communication and empathy were cultivated over time. The best activities promoted interaction and relationship building. Environmental factors and teaching style affected outcomes. Making and interpreting videos…

Discusses the difficulties of defining races and establishing statistical differences between such groups. Points out that studies of such aspects as temperament or basic personality traits show much more variation within groups than between groups. Investigators of such questions should be especially careful to use sound methodology and cautious…

Questions assumptions by Schoenfeld and Zirkel in a study reviewing gender discrimination cases against institutions of higher education. Critiques the methodology used in that study, cautions about the overall utility of "outcomes analysis," and reports more promising routes of empirical legal research. (15 references) (MLF)

This review focuses on methods used to identify language impairment in 72 published research studies from 1983-88. Test data were most frequently used, and expressive and receptive language were routinely assessed. Research problems included the lack of clarity regarding the specific number and identity of tests used and use of incomplete tests.…

This article defines qualitative research, provides an illustration of its application, and suggests references that further explain and discuss this research technique. In addition, the strengths and limitations of qualitative research are appraised, particularly as they are illuminated by comparisons with the conventional model of inquiry in…

Discusses an effort to critically evaluate research relevant to the education of children under five. The effort involved a report on the implications of the research for policy, practice, and further research. (Author/BB)

Argues that only positive results in a reading-level (RL) match and negative results in a chronological-age (CA) match are interpretable; negative results in a CA match and positive results in a RL match are not. Argues that using the RL control is only a first step in research into reading disability. (RS)

Research procedures used to evaluate the intelligence of children with specific language impairment are reviewed. Almost half of the 167 studies did not include adequate descriptions of intelligence assessment. (Author/JDD)

Briefly describes types of studies included in this special issue on minority children. Discusses issues in research on minority children and ways in which this research can be encouraged. (PCB)

Examines the problems affecting evaluation of distance education in developing countries in terms of economic, political, and social issues. Discusses one solution, a meta-analysis for synthesizing the results of research studies. (JOW)

Self-efficacy theory and research contribute to self-concept theory primarily by supporting the enhancement model of belief change. This article describes current problems with self-concept theory, describes self-efficacy research, and suggests that self-efficacy theory and methodology present findings that strengthen the association between…

Examines parallels in the study of child-care effects and the study of school effects. Finds striking similarities in the methodological and conceptual advances in both areas. Argues that child-care researchers and school-effects researchers would benefit by monitoring progress in one another's fields. (FMW)

Examines issues associated with the design of and statistical inferences from embedded experiments which vary the questionnaire content into sample surveys of broad populations. Provides an example of context effects in attitude surveys, a summary, and conclusions. (RT)

This two-phase study describes ways in which family day care providers perceived and implemented their caregiving practices. The study revealed that what family day care providers intended to provide for children--a loving, attentive, play-filled environment--was not consistently provided in practice. (Author/BB)

Examines metamethodological issues concerning project organization and maintenance arising in large-scale research. Discusses problems in forming the research team, preparing the proposal, investigator independence, operational decisions, budget allocations, and basic assumptions about the research subject that require solution through…