The author argues that findings of research in humanistic education should be treated as a vital element in teacher education. Humanistic educational practices in which high levels of empathy, congruence, and positive self regard are present will most certainly reduce, if not alleviate, many of the major problems facing education. (MT)

Reviews research on learning style and explains why it is important for educators to become aware of this research. (FL)

Effective teaching practices identified through research stress the search for meaning and can therefore serve as a foundation for teaching thinking, despite grade-level and subject matter differences in content, teacher role, engagement time, and outcomes sought. Effective teaching is structured, interactive, and conducted in a positive learning…

Reviews the development of the field of the psychology of aging during the past 30 years. Points out that much additional work is necessary in order for psychologists to apply knowledge gained to improvement of the quality of life for older Americans. (Author/AOS)

A synthesis is presented of the work of Lindblom and Cohen, MacDonald and Walker, and the current authors. The synthesis considers issues in the usefulness of social science theory and research, and how observer roles in qualitative field studies yield multiple kinds of usable knowledge to a variety of audiences. (Author/BW)

Explores the roles that interpretation plays in qualitative research and theory building and considers three types of interpretation: patterning, social meanings, and external considerations. Also explores criteria for judging interpretations, and the issues of objectivity/subjectivity and universality/generalizability of interpretive science.…

Reviews some of the recent research on the human brain and discusses the implications of this research for educators. (IRT)

Discusses the use of social science knowledge about environmental stressors in the making of public policy. (EF)

Reviews the kinds of discourse analyses that are currently being undertaken, summarizes research findings, and makes suggestions based on these findings for structuring texts to be used for instructional or informational purposes. (Author/MER)

The point of emphasis in classroom research is shifting away from pure educational theory and toward a descriptive investigation of teaching and learning realities. (LH)

Defines naturalistic research as research that occurs in a field setting and that emphasizes hypothesis generation rather than hypothesis testing. Discusses essential characteristics and requirements of such research, the utilization of quantitative and qualitative data, establishment of validity of research procedures and data generated, and the…

Reviews the history and growth of early childhood education; research that has influenced changes; the issue of which agency should sponsor preschool services; the changing preschool curriculum; and future issues such as quality and universal care. (SK)

Commentary from the point of view of an applied psychologist considers the findings of five papers in this special issue on cognitive development, exploring how the contributions of each study or analysis could be used in real instruction. Some areas on which to focus applied research are discussed. (SLD)

Investigates three types of bad science: (1) cultural prejudice based on scientific errors (polygenism, phrenology, reification through intelligence testing); (2) unethical science (Tuskegee syphilis experiments, tobacco companies and research); and (3) unwitting errors (pesticides, chlorofluorocarbons). (Contains 50 references.) (SK)

Data on people with disabilities can be used to confirm service needs and to evaluate the resulting impact of services. Disability statistics from surveys and administrative records can play a meaningful role in such efforts. In this article, the authors describe the array of available data and statistics and their potential uses in rehabilitation…