Reviews the subject matter, methodology, and objectives of European research on vocational training. Outlines research needs for the Member States of the European Union. (SK)

Advocates a stronger comparative emphasis in the study of educational administration and management while acknowledging comparative educational administration's weak knowledge base. Clarifies the potential import of a comparative, cross-cultural perspective embracing five societal/cultural dimensions: individualism versus collectivism, power…

Discusses the need for the accreditation of distance education higher education programs to ensure quality learning experiences. Topics include faculty involvement in the development and teaching of courses; control of the curriculum; lack of quality research; and research needs, including moving away from descriptive studies. (Contains 2…

Identifies interaction effects as the defining feature of resilience and resilience research. Maintains that interaction effects are responsible for the unique contributions of this field of study to the understanding of human development. Suggests that the methodological and statistical challenges posed by interaction effects do not, by…

Examines whether prevention research can benefit from resilience research in designing interventions. Suggests that although many areas in the investigative interests of prevention and resilience researchers overlap, Luther, Cicchetti, and Becker may have set the bar too high for defining resilience in the context of varying levels of adversity.…

Argues that a zealous focus by reading researchers on differences creates the impression of utter chaos in the field, and serves students, teachers, and the public poorly. Argues that researchers can contribute to educational policy (rather than forever nullifying one another) by focusing on the considerable consensus about literacy. (SR)

A literature review was structured using models of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and turnover behavior. Key findings were as follows: methodology of most studies was weak; most used cross-sectional design and self-report measures; and samples were largely executives and professionals and predominantly white. (81…

Given only correlation coefficient, one cannot infer causality. This lesson has been lost on Secretary of Education Richard Riley, who recently intoned that "taking rigorous mathematics courses ... early in secondary schools is a gateway to college and future employment." Students taking such classes have probably already been identified…

This commentary proposes that cross-cultural studies of parenting, like studies within a culture, should become more focused--with antecedent or concurrent measures selected to provide a clear view toward "child outcome." Furthermore, differences within countries may be as great as differences between countries. Therefore, the relevant cultural…

Describes experimental approaches used to demonstrate perception without awareness. Maintains that experimental findings based on all four approaches lead to the conclusion that stimuli are perceived even when observers are unaware of the stimuli. Asserts that future research should assess the functions of information perceived without awareness…

Examines criticisms of school-effectiveness research (SER) in two papers by Martin Thrupp and by Roger Slee and Gaby Weiner in this special issue. Despite critics' focus on SER's overclaiming, undertheorizing, and political ineptitude, the main issue seems to be researchers' dismissive attitudes and their suppression of scholarly debate. (Contains…

Discusses issues inherent in two meta-analyses of instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities conducted by Gersten and Baker, and MacArthur et al. Issues include word recognition, technology and text comprehension, electronic enhancements, technology and writing, insufficiency of writing intervention research, and inclusion…

After a brief review of the history of research with individuals with mental retardation, this article examines critical ethical issues related to informed consent and surrogate decision-making. It then discusses ways to facilitate the research decision-making process for individuals with mental retardation and their families, including enhancing…

The conclusion of J. Cameron and W. D. Pierce that rewards do not pose a threat to intrinsic motivation (1994) is a misrepresentation of the literature based on a flawed meta-analysis. Their analysis is more an attempt to defend behaviorist turf rather than meaningful consideration of relevant data and issues. (Author/SLD)

Addresses the lack of data on procedures used to recruit subjects in marital research by examining the effects of different sampling techniques. In Study One, couples recruited through newspaper advertisements were found to be at greater risk for marital discord. In Study Two, couples who responded to mailed solicitation were found to be less…