THE STUDY COMPARED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THREE MAILING TECHNIQUES FOR STIMULATING THE INTEREST OF PERSONS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IDENTIFIED AS UNINTERESTED IN CONDUCTING OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH. THE SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 4,222 TEACHERS IN PRACTICAL ARTS, VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, AND COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE. THE AUTHORS…

This paper presents a rationale for observing black mothers during semi-structured play activities with their toddlers. It appraises the strengths and weaknesses of such situational assessments of mother-infant dyads, arguing that in addition to observational data the collection of introspective interview data from mothers is essential. Interview…

Evaluators often utilize analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) techniques to compensate statistically for the lack of experimental control when assessing the effects of innovative programs implemented in naturalistic settings. In this paper design, analysis, and reporting considerations important to the application of ANCOVA-type techniques in…

An attempt is made to define the meaning of invention and innovation in mathematics education in order to help develop guidelines for policies of research and development in this area. Spectrums of invention in the realms of geometry and group theory are proposed as models of ordering understanding of creative activity within mathematics. This…

A number of examples are presented to illustrate a common flaw in the published research on learning, memory, and instruction. Experimental subjects--often college students--have certain expectations about the problems they will be asked to solve and about the questions that will appear on reading comprehension or recall tests; these expectations…

This paper represents two intentions: to discuss the need for theoretical advance in generational studies, and to make suggestions about expanding the design repertoire of generational studies in the interests of these theory developments. First, because generational phenomena on the face seem intransigent to experiment, a comment on…

The possible influence of cognitive dissonance in psychotherapy was examined by conceptualizing therapy as an effort justification process. It was predicted that freely choosing to undergo a highly effortful procedure would aid in positive therapeutic change. Subjects (N=52) participated in a weight-reduction experiment in which the degree of…

A number of problems may arise when university-based researchers conduct research in public school districts. Administrators may be suspicious about the value of research activities unless they are given an accurate understanding of its outcomes and benefits. Those conducting research in school systems must ask themselves a number of questions…

The way in which graduate students attending British universities approach their one year of research study and the problems they encounter as graduate students were studied as part of an investigation into postgraduate education undertaken at the University of Aberdeen. Of the 77 students, 56 (39 Ph.D., 17 Master's candidates) were registered in…

The document discusses limitations of the current practice of educational ethnography and suggests that ethnographers could best help teachers through more participation and less observation. Ethnography is the process of describing reality from the point of view of the participant through direct observation of social behavior. Some weaknesses…

Charles Spearman originally suggested in 1927 that the varying magnitudes of the mean differences between whites and blacks in standardized scores on a variety of mental tests are directly related to the size of the tests' loadings on g, the general factor common to all complex tests of mental ability. Several independent large-scale studies…

Guidelines (established at the Syracuse Development Center) for conducting human research with institutionalized mentally retarded persons are discussed, particularly in relation to research in behavior modification. After a literature review, the five step procedure suggested by the Center is listed with such steps as submitting a proposal which…

The scientific method is described as intending to be the guarantor of objectivity, neutrality, and diligent application of its rigorous procedures and to produce a body of cumulative knowledge that is systematic and general. The central argument of this essay addresses the discovery that research findings appear to be context-dependent; methods…

This paper avaluates research on the characteristics and selection of counselors. It also considers the implications of recent developments in counseling theory and practice for the research on counselor characteristics and selection. There has been almost no research on counselor selection as such. The research on characteristics of counselors…

A number of potential threats to internal validity in true experiments are discussed. Programmatic research efforts proceeding from established correlational findings to experiments employing random assignment are described and used as referents in discussions of validity considerations. The collection of observational data is recommended for use…