Four means of altering fat levels in laboratory mice, contrasting invasive injection techniques with non-invasive dietary and behavioral means, are described. Relates these investigations concerning obesity to the practicality of using animal models as an approach in searching for physiological knowledge about human beings. (CS)

Reflects on one person's efforts to develop a collaborative action research methodology for evaluating professional development. Focuses on the development of an inside methodology for teachers. Sets out a range of issues and identifies some tentative principles of procedure. (CFR)

Reviews key ideas of action research in the past 15 years, particularly those of John Elliott. Describes and comments on the main characteristics of action research. Focuses on methodological and epistemological issues related to its practice. (CFR)

Asserts that the teacher as researcher movement increased awareness of the human interventionary nature of teaching. Maintains that the human interventions of regular classroom practice must be subject to the same ethical scrutiny that applies to all professional endeavors. (CFR)

A set of 10 articles which first appeared in the Japanese periodical "Studies in Broadcasting" comprises this collection. Of the four essays dealing with Japan, one covers the historical changes in its broadcasting policies, treats the legal character of the Japanese public broadcasting company (Nippon Hoso Kyokai), and also reports on…

Argues that the choice of method for constructing concepts such as family and household does matter but that there is no a priori link between method and construction or between method and epistemological position. The extent of overlap between constructs produced by different methods must be investigated rather than assumed. (LKS)

Responds to Martyn Hammersley's critique of the authors' research concerning classroom participation of boys and girls. Agrees generally with Hammersley's critique. Defends the small-scale approach for its ability to examine interactive mechanisms by which inequality in participation was produced. (DB)

The aims of an evaluation of the Trades Education (TRADEC) schemes were to report on the approach's distinctive features and to assess the TRADEC system's effectiveness and potential for educating and training a wide range of workers. The research design comprised three major elements. First, a developmental phase was devoted to identification and…

A study of the English of British schoolchildren of South Asian extraction looks at ways of examining the relationship between their English and two ethnic processes, called "interactive" and "reactive". The way in which Network Analysis permits investigation of the interactive process is outlined, and the use of Identity…

This report provides a detailed account of a three-year project that sought to determine how average and above average ten- and fifteen-year-old readers in Great Britain actually used reading in school. The 11 chapters cover the following topics: the origins, background, and development of the project; the differences between spoken and written…

Presents an analysis of some aspects of conversational phonology by examining the general phonetic resources that are used by speakers of Tyneside (a nonstandard variety of English). This phonological analysis of the interaction of turn-completion takes into account pitch, loudness, and tempo, as well as segmental features. (TR)

Reviews efforts by science educators to reduce sexism in science textbooks. While there is agreement about the extent of sexism found in the books, there is some confusion as to the best method of changing it. An analytic framework for clarifying the problem and possible affirmative action are proposed. (JN)

Reports on the structure and methodology of a British project investigating the impact and implications of competence-led curricula in further education. Outlines the alternative dissemination strategies, research methodology, and management approach used. Concludes that the teacher as researcher approach needs to be applied more explicitly in the…

Discusses the teaching of a qualitative historical geography course focusing on Victorian Britain. Describes how qualitative research methods can be used in both contemporary human geography and historical geography. Includes course modifications that were suggested by students. (CFR)

This book examines much of the large body of research on educational inequality in Britain since the Second World War, focusing on studies concerned with inequalities in the internal organization and functioning of the schools. A social constructionist approach to the study of social problems as a way of providing a reflexive perspective on the…