Some of the problems addressed by the editors of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education (APJTE) refer to the issues concerning the Global South. This commentary elaborates upon the problematisations by the editors with reference to the ethical challenges arising in contexts of political turmoil; issues related to the power, or lack of it,…

In volume 103 of "Modern Language Journal," Stephen May suggested that the "multilingual turn" has not fully delivered on its promises, pointing out second language acquisition (SLA) researchers' continued focus on parallel monolingualisms rather than on dynamic bi/multilingualism, the lack of theorization of historicity in…

Defines participatory research, describes its origins, and outlines the major issues, including the question of the researcher's role, the question of power, and the contribution to social movements. (SK)

The problems of international educational research exchange were examined. The definition of educational research is not universal. Styles and emphasis of research differ. European publications are similar to United States publications. The research methodology used by most Third World countries is often radically different from American methods.…

Examines trends in participatory research and the need for clarification of it as a process of "disindoctrination" to the status quo and a means of bringing about the structural transformation of society. Issues of popular organization and strategies for increasing viability are discussed. (SK)

Practitioner-researchers are emerging in many fields in response to rapid change and a view of research as systematic and rigorously controlled learning. The gap between theory and practice widens because of variations in practice settings, making practitioner knowledge important. Commentaries by Paul Yerrell, David R. Thompson, Philip Burnard,…

In their attempts to further the adoption of productivity increasing ideas and practices by third world peasants, diffusion researchers have paid insufficient attention to the factors acting as constraints to their efforts. An examination of one of these constraints, the lack of an equitable system for delivering knowledge and skills to rural…

Eighteen essays are presented by participants at a regional seminar on the training of educational research personnel. Following an introduction which discusses trends and problems in the educational leadership of Asian countries, material is divided into five sections. Section 1, advancing the professionalism of teachers, contains three articles…

Academic research and publishing, particularly at the higher education level, are activities that do not only complement effective teaching but are also sine-qua-non for the achievement of academic excellence. However, due to myriad of factors, many academics in Tertiary Institutions have a myopic belief that universities are meant, essentially…

Discussion of the information needs of agricultural researchers in Africa focuses on the potential usefulness of unpublished reports. Reasons for the underutilization of unpublished reports are addressed, including a lack of access resulting from poor bibliographic control, lack of an information policy in most countries, and inadequate and poorly…

Researchers working in foreign settings are often influenced by a number of factors which are quite different from factors which influence research activities in one's own culture. The hypothesis is that these cultural differences can influence research in a positive or negative way depending, at least partially, on the degree of sensitivity shown…

African university research is rarely used by policy-makers in the development planning process because there is mutual suspicion between the university and government, there is a dichotomy between university-based researchers and the rural populations intended as the beneficiaries of development, and research is seriously underfunded. (Author/MSE)

Educational research can serve to improve education in both developed and developing countries. It can be oriented toward increasing knowledge about the educational reality, generating theories, or confirming immediate educational political decisions. Educational research should be an interdisciplinary undertaking; this variety helps to unify…

Stresses the danger of sociological fieldwork in Latin America for researcher and subject. Recommends that the researcher build a network of contacts for support and protection. Discusses the interpersonal relations, problems of security, and field entry techniques involved in sensitive research situations. Suggests unobtrusive methods of research…

Considers barriers which inhibit the development of information technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. Highlights include research in science and technology; the publishing industry; information transfer; indigenous database development; and options for developing countries, including national information policies, computer education, and…