Issues pertaining to the validity of student ratings of teacher effectiveness, research on "educational seduction," and implications of the research for the evaluation and improvement of teaching are reviewed. Criteria that have been used to validate student ratings include student achievement, faculty ratings, self-ratings, research productivity,…

Presents data which leads to the construction of a response to the question of how different phases of the learning cycle influence physics students' content achievement and attitudes. Discusses the importance of the learning cycle in science instruction and the strength of using contrasting techniques (qualitative and quantitative) in research.…

Describes curriculum development aimed at increasing quantitative skills or demonstrating relevance of technological tools to studies in humanities. Included are simulations, research design, measurement, analytical techniques, computer software development, and a new laboratory course in social sciences. Also describes attempts to focus on…

Reviews the history and conclusions of school effectiveness research, which focuses on student achievement, and of school improvement research, which emphasizes educational innovation per se; analyzes the methodologies of these two lines of inquiry. Distills from both bodies of literature seven school characteristics that constitute excellence.…

This introductory level text provides a background for understanding the uses of qualitative research in education, its theoretical and historical underpinnings, and specific methods of educational research. This revised edition places qualitative research into the context of current discussions of research methods and alternative ways of knowing.…

Celebrating Marie Clay as a major theorist of child literacy acquisition, this book presents 15 essays by distinguished scholars that reflect on her contributions to the field of early literacy; early childhood, bilingual, and special education; developmental, cognitive, and school psychology; assessment; teacher education; professional…

Finds that introductory psychology textbooks present limited and often confusing coverage of research methods. Presents two research models that delineate separate dimensions for data collection procedures, research designs, and research settings. Contends that these models provide better coverage of research strategies. Includes suggestions for…

This article is the first of a research methods series dedicated to getting good results from survey research. In this series, "good results" is a stenographic term used to define surveys that yield accurate and meaningful information decision makers can use with confidence to identify current practices that merit continuation and to create or…

This paper is a proposal to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on ways to evaluate its environment for multicultural living and education. The paper begins by discussing the nature and definition of a multicultural society in higher education and the nation and minority population trends into the next century. The next issue examined…

Prepared by the Outcomes Assessment Task Force (OATF) at Owens Community College (OCC), in Ohio, this document describes the philosophy guiding assessment at OCC and provides a non-prescriptive guide for implementing an assessment plan. Part I provides an introduction to outcomes assessment at OCC, including OCC's assessment philosophy, a list of…

This training manual for educational counselors, administrators, and faculty involved with placement services (assistance to school graduates or leavers in obtaining employment or further education) and follow-up studies (examination of the performance of former students in the areas in which they received training) is part of a Florida Department…

This comprehensive handbook provides quick access to a wide range of information needed by professionals in all areas and at all levels of education. It includes books, journals, software, and standardized tests. Six sections are as follows: (1) information sources (including information sources by type and guide to reference sources in…

This collection of essays focuses on various aspects of research and instruction related to developmental education. The collection includes: (1) "Evaluating Instructional Software for Developmental Education," by Curtis Miles, which includes information on types of microcomputer software, developmental student characteristics,…

One of a series of papers resulting from a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) project, this handbook describes procedures for documenting the learning students take with them from college. Introductory material on the FIPSE project and the learner outcomes approach to college evaluation is followed by a discussion of…

Step-by-step description of the community analysis and survey project undertaken by Grande Prairie Public Library (Alberta, Canada) includes discussion of use of American Library Association's "Planning Process for Public Libraries" as a guideline for designing staff, citizen, and user surveys. Statement of revenue and expenses (1982) is…