Experimental designs are distinguished as the best method to respond to questions involving causality. The purpose of the present paper is to explicate the logic of experimental design and why it is so vital to questions that demand causal conclusions. In addition, types of internal and external validity threats are discussed. To emphasize the…

The increased interest in reporting effect sizes means that it is necessary to consider what should be included in a primer on effect sizes. A review of papers on effect sizes and commonly repeated statistical analyses suggests that it is important to discuss effect sizes relative to bivariate correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance/covariance,…

Generation is thought to enhance both item-specific and relational processing of generated targets as compared with read words (M. A. McDaniel & P. J. Waddill, 1990). Generation facilitates encoding of the cue-target relation and sometimes boosts encoding of relations across list items. Of interest is whether generation can also increase the…

This elaboration and critique is the final article in a four-part series that presents the empirical foundation, parameters, and applications of a multidimensional model for organizing research on group psychotherapeutic process. (Author)

This paper examines representative research in information science and compares its designs to an abstract ideal of the experimental research design. Threats to validity of conclusions are highlighted, including history, maturation, testing, instrumentation, statistical regression, selection biases, experimental mortality, and selection-maturation…

Suggests a starting place for formal inquiry into distance education. Topics covered include: background on educational research and research on distance education; research paradigms that are applicable to distance education; subsystems of a distance education program; and a matrix for conceptualizing distance education research. (MES)

Demographic change in industrial countries will influence educational spending in potentially two ways. On the one hand, the decline in the number of school-age children should alleviate the financial pressure. On the other hand, the theoretical/empirical literature has established that the concomitantly increasing proportion of elderly in the…

The paper is designed to lay the foundation for a traditional assessment program in a systematic research effort on the identification of and intervention with at risk and handicapped infants and young children. Initial sections review literature on the qualities of traditional psychometric assessment and on the qualities of a behavioral…

This paper critically examines recent studies investigating the relationship between dramatic play and story comprehension. Four issues to be addressed are (1) play and contextual variables; (2) treatment effects on different subjects; (3) length of effects; and (4) size of effects. Recommendations for future research are made. (Author/MT)

Based on key word counts from summaries in the ERIC database and article analysis of the 1975, 1985, and 1995 volumes of Research in Science Education, certain trends appear in the style of research in science education. Trends include the move from brief, controlled, laboratory-style experiments to lengthy observations and descriptions of…

This occasional paper introduces the methods of research synthesis and meta-analysis to researchers and consumers of research in the field of adult learning and literacy. To begin, the first section of the paper defines key terms and offers a brief history of how the methodologies developed. The second section provides a conceptualization of…

Issues from the field of learning disabilities and the field of education in general which impact the learning disabled (LD) are discussed as they relate to research with LD adolescents and young adults. Based on the knowledge of the context in which the LD adolescent is required to function, a process research model that allows a commitment to…

Addresses the use of missing cells in longitudinal research. Gives a sample educational situation involving cohorts and grade levels and uses multiple linear regression for the solution. Discusses applications of longitudinal research wherein logically missing cells occur. (Author/SV)

The author argues for an epidemiology data base (which looks at cognitive, aptitude, family condition, school condition, and personal characteristic variables) as a strategy for research with learning disabled (LD) adolescents and young adults. An operational definition, advantages, and problems of this type of research strategy are outlined. A…

Too many practitioners interpret ABAB research based on visual inspection rather than statistical analysis. Based on an experiment using cooperative learning to mainstream autistic students, hypothetical data for one student from an ABAB reversal design are used to illustrate the techniques and importance of regression analyses. Discussion focuses…