As examples of the qualitative research attitude, six research papers, each of which addresses a serious educational question in a thoughtful and rigorous manner, are presented. The first paper argues for the advancement of a qualitative research attitude in social studies, for such an attitude is consonant with the purposes of a reflective, critical, inquiring social studies curriculum. The second paper addresses the quantitative versus qualitative research issue by studying recent social studies research to determine the directions taken by social studies educators. The purpose of the third paper is to discuss the relationship between models of inservice educational programs and dominant metaphors of educational change within Western society. Political influences which shaped social studies curriculum development in Alberta (Canada) from 1975 to 1978 are discussed in the fourth paper. The fifth paper describes and interprets how a teacher's ideology influences his or her interpretation of a social studies curriculum. The final paper examines six approaches to values education. (RM)