This article describes a novel, hands-on method to qualitatively determine the extent of microbial activity in topsoil using ordinary blank paper. Appropriate and scalable for the high school and college level, these experiments expose students to some of the challenges facing environmental researchers and also contribute to curriculum development…

Although qualitative methods have been employed for many years, there remain many unresolved issues for investigators wishing to undertake work of this type. This paper, aimed primarily at students and inexperienced researchers, considers some of the most pertinent of these matters and suggests responses that the investigator may make. Some of the…

This guide introduces the skills and dispositions necessary to participate in educational action research. It targets teachers, administrators, college faculty, graduate students, state professional organizations, and state administrators. Chapter 1, "Understanding Action Research as a Tool for Professional Growth and Organizational Development,"…

This article is based on the experiences of 25 PhD students at a New Zealand university who came to do research and soon found themselves taking on substantial teaching loads. Teaching was highly valued and it helped students develop their professional identity as they broadened their subject knowledge and practised a disciplinary research…

A sourcebook for foreign students and scholars already in the United States who are seeking additional financial resources to complete their U.S. education is presented. These sources of support are mostly available from U.S. private, nonprofit organizations including professional societies, scientific and medical research organizations, scholarly…

This guide provides practical advice, based on research expertise, for teachers looking for reliable research results without waste of time or effort. The six sections of the guide present and discuss the decisions and actions that have to be taken to get good results: (1) the pros and cons of collecting information by questionnaire; (2) sampling;…

This directory targets users in Asia and the Pacific who seek further study or research opportunities in which English is the medium of learning. Information gathered form various sources is compiled in three parts: (1) a brief account of fellowships offered or administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization;…

This book, created by three reference librarians, teaches the beginning researcher good research habits. It provides names of tools students should consult for a well-rounded, well-researched paper on a controversial issue in the news. Books, specialized databases, online resources, and agencies to contact are all included. Each…

This article sheds light on the critical variables of a successful special education dissertation by presenting two advisees' and two advisors' reflections on the experience. Common attributes that may contribute to a successful dissertation are identified, including acquisition of scholarship, coursework and training experiences, perseverance,…

This book is the third volume of the paperback versions of "The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, Third Edition." This portion of the handbook considers the tasks of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting empirical materials, and comprises the Handbook's Parts IV ("Methods of Collecting and Analyzing Empirical Materials") and V ("The Art and…

The modern scientific enterprise often appears so complex and sophisticated that it may seem unapproachable. This view of science is questioned in this booklet, which looks at science as a human endeavor, one which is within the grasp of all people. This document highlights the personal stories of four young scientists in an effort to provide…

There is growing interest in the possibilities of combining research approaches in education and social sciences, as dissatisfaction mounts with the limitations of traditional mono-method studies and with the schism between quantitative and qualitative methods. This book argues the case for combining multiple research methods, and provides…

Analyzes the structure of academic sociology departments. Stresses the competition for resources and symbolic capital among different groups including faculty, support staff, research staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Focuses on the complex role of graduate students, the constraints, and the opportunities it opens. Urges reform…

This book presents a fresh view of action research as a methodology uniquely suited to researching the processes of innovation and change. Drawing on twenty-five years' experience of leading or facilitating action research projects, Bridget Somekh argues that action research can be a powerful systematic intervention, which goes beyond describing,…

This book provides guidance to the research student in planning, carrying out, writing up, and publishing research findings. More than 500 tips for researchers are presented in a format that groups the tips into sets of ideas for each of the following chapters: (1) "Getting Started in Research"; (2) "Finding Your Feet--and Keeping…