Focuses on and discusses the common knowledge concerning research design and the statistical analysis of data. (Author/ASK)

A conceptualization of generalization and its place in educational research is proposed. Problems with existing approaches to generalization include limited concepts, misleading or simplistic results, perception variance or change, and the discouragement of sensitivity due to convenience. Researchers should distinguish between conclusions which…

Argues that multiple theoretical perspectives and applied careers versus basic interests need not divide the discipline of sociology. Contends that the idea of a disciplinary core will be more easily operationalized if sociologists orient themselves toward the skills which comprise the essence of their work. (Author/DH)

Discusses three criteria by which to measure the importance of adult education research questions. These criteria are practical application, contribution to understanding, and universality. The author argues that the criteria must not be identified with a particular kind of research or "importance" comparisons between quantitative and…

The authors respond to an earlier article by S. Stainback and W. Stainback which suggested the need for more qualitative research in special education. The response centers on the need for better research in the field. The Stainbacks reply, questioning the underlying rationales denigrating qualitative research. (CL)

Perspective Text Analysis is a way to measure competence by measuring the strategy of synthesizing, which intelligence tests or questionnaires cannot measure. This paper proposes the use of Perspective Text Analysis in the study of instructional materials. Perspective Text Analysis has been applied in various learning environments, and the results…

Institutions, individuals, policies, and interactions are identified as the four research perspectives that have guided most legislative studies and that could help to identify promising areas for future investigation of education issues. The discussion of each perspective includes a review of landmark research and comments on its contributions…

Much of educational administration research suffers from lack of conformity between data analysis and research design, inattention to the test/retest stability of measurement instruments, and the use of statistics for nominal or interval data with ordinal data, random-sample statistics with nonrandom samples, and unnecessarily complex statistical…

Sternberg (1981) presented correlations based on independent samples of about 25 cases each with a statistical comparison in a population parameter of zero and interpreted his results as if with appropriate tests. He needed to use a nonzero population parameter and compare for the difference between the z transformations. (Author/CM)

Sternberg's reply to paper Humphrey criticizes (see TM 507 045) includes: (1) invited position paper and detailed statistical testing would have been inappropriate; (2) Humphrey commits some of "misdeeds" of which he accuses Sternberg; (3) number of cases in the three nonentrenchment experiments are more than adequate for drawing conclusions; and…

Evaluations of extended media coverage of the courts have relied on survey research only. Authors argue for more adequate evaluations that involve survey, observational, and experimental research to (1) establish the external validity of any experimental findings and (2) gather complete data on the trials and participants. (PD)

Discusses characteristics that determine whether studies are significant Research: (1) framework of the research; (2) credibility of the research; and (3) applicability or consumer needs. Relates these characteristics to recent research in the fields of creative drama and children's theater. (PD)

When reporting results, researchers must not change predetermined significance levels. Such attempts to make results more significant are statistically inaccurate, illogical, and unethical. American Psychological Association standards for reporting significance should be more explicit. (CP)

Encourages the use of evaluation research rather than process, impact, or comprehensive evaluation; and notes that meaningful evaluation research can occur when the true experiment is combined with longitudinal designs. (JEG)

Makes recommendations regarded cross-sectional and longitudinal research needed on creativity, developmental trends and processes related to creativity, and determinants of the development of creativity. (DR)