This paper deals with use of field research in an investigation of diffusion and use of information in environment of working poor. Highlights include discussion of field research and identification of conceptual themes (gaining entry, field researcher's role, anxiety in field research, rapport, reciprocity, empathy, maturity). Forty references…

One of the most fundamental tasks relating to the undertaking of fieldwork for a qualitative research study lies in "gaining access". This involves both securing entry into a particular organisation and ensuring that individuals associated with it, such as employees or users, will serve as informants. In terms of the first problem, a range of…

Discusses problems in carrying out time-series research in organizational settings that include issues of site selection; choices about data collection and degrees of involvement; the importance of clarifying research outputs, audience, and presentation; handling problems of complexity and simplicity; ethical issues; and managing a community or…

Reflects on the past three decades of increasing specialization and on the diverse conceptual frameworks guiding research in the field of educational administration. Describes heterogeneity among researchers, field-based research and policy studies, linkages across specialty areas, and key points of remaining articles. Fifty-three footnotes are…

The desire to abolish the gap between research theory and classroom practice has sparked an increasing interest in field-based research among science educators. Although most researchers are aware of the standard meanings of informed consent and confidentiality, and there are some codes of ethical principles published by such groups as the…

Contends that qualitative research is now an acceptable and respected methodology in the various fields of educational research. Concludes that considerable imagination and flexibility is necessary when evaluating research into educational issues in developing nations. (CFR)

Female researchers conducting field research in educational politics encounter special problems of access, entry, reciprocity, and ethics. Accordingly, this study focuses first on field research methods in policy settings as a general topic, then on problems specific to women in this area. A researcher must be aware of informal coalitions or…

In conducting research, the identified problem in the field will determine the research strategies chosen to address the problem. When a qualitative research strategy is deemed as the most appropriate strategy to get answers to research questions, the researcher should be aware of obstacles that can be encountered in the research process. If the…

New perspectives on social science research suggest five propositions: studies in higher education must not be value-singular; higher education researchers must not ignore "harbingers of the paradigm revolution"; they must take into account new interpretations of knowledge acquisition; they must not depend on prescriptive models; and they must…

The development of this annotated bibliography of 58 doctoral dissertations arose from an interest in doctoral study in general, and concern for the magnitude of the attrition problem at the doctoral level in particular. Dissertations date from 1970 to 1990. Among the dissertations summarized are those relating to such topics as: factors relating…