Problems encountered in large-scale educational evaluations are discussed using the evaluation of the Emergency School Aid Act as an example. This extensive article focuses primarily on methodological issues. (JKS)

The main question explored in this article is whether behavior analysts are more interested in examining the variables of which socially important behaviors are a function, or in improving those behaviors. It is concluded that improvement is currently more important to researchers than analysis. (Author/AM)

Computes various thermodynamics and statistical quantities of all electrically charged particles in a small plasma to analyze: (1) How many particles are required for computer stimulation of a macroscopic plasma? (2) To find out if this method is accurate and fast enough to become a good tool of statistical plasma mechanics. (GA)

The achievement of Nigerian elementary students instructed in the native language, Yoruba was compared to achievement of students taught in Yoruba and then in English. When a new curriculum was developed, these additional variables influenced the research design. The roles of research and evaluation in educational innovation are also discussed.…

Traces individual physicists and financial considerations associated with the historical development of academic research and research facilities in physics at the University of California (Berkeley), California Institute of Technology, and Stanford University from the 1890's to the 1930's. (SL)

A critical review of the research methodology used in the Wilms study on the effectiveness of public and proprietary vocational training. Focus is on the overall design, data collection, data analysis, and derived conclusions and implications, with the conclusion that the study has some significant design and methodological limitations. (Editor/JT)

A 3-year research project (1974-77) in connection with the national campaign against adult illiteracy involves assessing the role of broadcasting in motivating adults to ask for help, investigating appropriate instructional media, and correlating the various learning situations and the subsequent social benefits. Some problems of research design…

The first article argues that systematic career planning should be abandoned, and replaced by a "good theory of non-rationality." That is, counselors should consider what actually influences career decisions, instead of bemoaning their lack of logical planning. Several other authors respond to this idea in separate articles. (Author/BP)

Sex role research shows that (1) some achievement differences are related to students' sex role perceptions and teacher expectations, (2) effects on students of textbook bias against females have not been clearly demonstrated, and (3) instruction designed to reduce sex role stereotyping has had mixed results. (Author/AV)

Explores some of the methodological issues and problems involved in studies of black mother-child interactions, and presents alternatives to previously-used methods of selecting tasks, instructing subjects, and collecting data in the home. (BD)

Indicates that the two-dimensional model of family communication is better suited to evaluation of whites than blacks. (KS)

Discusses how the authors' review of literature on ability grouping prompted them to look closer at the objectivity of research in general. Concludes that predispositions to specific topics of research, prompted by preexisting values and characteristics of the particular reader, affects the objectivity of the reader in interpreting research…

This article highlights three common problems with assessment research, including the following needs: (1) to adopt a hypothesis testing approach; (2) for research to be guided by available formal and informal theory, and (3) for research to be consistent with general school psychological practice. New research methodologies and new research…

Research supports the notion that substitute teachers generally are ineffective. This study examines whether trained substitutes can be as effective as assigned teachers in teaching students with behavior disorders. Findings showed that substitutes with intensive inservice training in behavior management were equally effective for one-day…

Identified are four major fallacies in Douglas Fuchs and Lynn Fuchs' critique of the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM) and the General Education Initiative (GEI): erroneous interpretations of the GEI, segregationism in the Fuchs' point of view, the research base of the ALEM, and readiness for the GEI. (JDD)