Intended to evoke discussion in the research community about the research trend of the 21st century, this paper provides a broad, general definition of qualitative research that covers the many terms currently used under this heading, and discusses seven issues that the research community should address in some manner: (1) new or fad; (2) too many…

Gene V. Glass and Mary Lee Smith claim in their report, "Meta-Analysis of Research on the Relationship of Class-Size and Achievement" (ED 168 129), that their integration of data from 80 previous studies through complex regression analysis techniques revealed a "clear and strong relationship" between decreases in class size and increases in…

Reviews persistent criticisms of quantitative research methodologies such as the lack of isomorphism between measures and "reality," its failure to produce "truths" useful to educational practice, the faulty use of statistics, and the poorly understood notion of causality. (JDH)

An evaluation of the "Percentage of Nonoverlapping Data" approach for quantifying outcomes of single-subject research in special education reveals that it is potentially too sensitive to atypical baseline data, not powerful enough to discriminate important treatment differences, and adversely affected by even subtle trends in the data.…

The response to a critique of a proposed method of quantifying outcomes of single-subject research in special education suggests that the alternative procedure proposed has theoretical but not practical merit due to the limited number of observations typically found in single-subject baselines. (Author/DB)

The response to a critique of a proposed method of quantitatively synthesizing single subject research in special education reaffirms the authors' view that narrative review procedures are of limited utility without objective standards for evaluating study outcomes. (DB)

In response to Hallahan et al, the authors suggest that variability in prevalence is a function of the methods used to examine prevalence differences and that the effect specific discrepancy criteria for learning disabilities have on the number of students identified is the critical issue. (Author/DB)

Demonstrates ways in which conclusions about models may be affected by violations of the assumption that the observed variables are normally distributed. Addresses the issue of the robustness of findings obtained under such conditions. (Author/RH)

Some issues in the debate between qualitative and quantitative researchers are examined. It is argued that "local theories" that apply in particular contexts can allow quantitative researchers to abandon the search for universal theories. Parallels are drawn between local theories in the quantitative tradition and case studies in the qualitative…

A dialog between two fictional teachers provides some basic examples of how research that uses approved methodology may provide results that are significant statistically but not significant practically. (PGD)

The second half of a dialogue between two fictional teachers examines the significance of statistical significance in research and considers the factors affecting the extent to which research results provide important or useful information. (PGD)

Analyses of artificial data involving repeated, related binary measures to different samples suggest that Tideman's generalized chi-square statistic and conventional repeated-measures analysis of variance do not produce conflicting outcomes. Provided the appropriate assumptions are met, analysis of variance may provide a more versatile approach.…

Many researchers, including Buriel (EJ 187 987), incorrectly compared the results in each study with null hypotheses of zero differences between means or zero population correlations. Instead, a test of difference between the mean differences in the two samples or the direct comparison of the two sample correlations is required. (Author/CP)

Innacurate sample data and uncertain estimates are defined as obstacles to assessing the suicide rate among college students. A standardization of research and reporting services is recommended. (JMF)

Points out some methodological difficulties in the book "Who Gets Ahead?" by Jencks et al. Argument is derived from comparison with Jencks's previous book, "Inequality." (Author/MP)