Synthesizes major findings of writing research into 10 basic principles: grammar, correctness, feedback, positive reinforcement, formative evaluation, quality of learning, specific devices, sharing, student interest, and reading. Applies the principles to business communication classes. (RS)

This essay on EC 606 264, which found that more intense early intervention programs for children with disabilities were not more effective, comments on the "political incorrectness" of the results, the possibility for misinterpretation of the results, and the need to reexamine beliefs about what contributes to effective intervention programs. (JDD)

Factors that have slowed progress in middle grades reform include (1) emphasizing school-level, structural changes, such as merging curricular areas and instructional assignments, which do little to change the experience of students; and (2) basing reform more on rhetoric than research. Reviews the articles in this special issue, which seeks to…

Criticizes Psacharopoulos for distorting the legitimate scope of intellectual work in comparative education, reducing paradigm framing choices to functionalist/positivist orthodoxy, and unconvincingly presenting hypothesis testing as a means to solve educational problems. Suggests the benefits of multiple research perspectives on problems. (SV)

Describes seminars in which researchers reported their findings to the high school teachers whose classes they studied. Interprets the experience from three orientations: different school cultures, the research team's role, and teacher power. (SK)

This essay begins by discussing the current cynicism regarding the usefulness of research-based strategies in the field of education. Using examples of high-quality research that utilizes diverse methodologies, a framework is presented for thinking about various types of research and their implications. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The new Features Editor of the "Educational Researcher" articulates policies, procedures, and rules that guide the manuscript review process. The issues confronting the editor in this field highlight larger issues of the meaning of research and scholarly discourse. (SLD)

Author Mike Schmoker argues that data should play a crucial role before staff development begins by helping to select the most results-oriented initiatives. Staff development proposals should be based on data that indicate the initiatives have led to higher achievement. This interview discusses barriers to using data and notes the role of…

Sets forth guidelines for assessing the economic impact of university research and development and identifies what may become the roles and responsibilities of technology transfer officers in the assessment process. (Author/JOW)

This article describes the usefulness of a scientific approach to improving knowledge and practice in special education. Of four approaches to knowledge (superstition, folklore, craft, and science), craft and science are supported and implications for special education drawn including the need to bridge the gulf between research knowledge and…

The implications of the Britain's Jarratt Committee study of efficiency in selected universities and the politics underlying the study are examined and criticized as self-serving. (MSE)

There have been ongoing debates among educational researchers over the appropriateness of various research methods. This paper begins with the contention that these differences in methodological orientation are in large part reflections of the broader ideological and value convictions of the researchers themselves. A critical point to be made,…

In an era of ever-shrinking dollars for education and especially for educational research, one must ask the question, "Does the proposed research add value to agricultural education?" Although it may not be possible to answer the question completely, a framework can be developed within which the answer can be pondered. Researchers,…

A broad gap exists between research findings on reading and the application of these findings to the classroom. Commonly held beliefs of administrators and teachers that present formidable obstacles to the translation of research findings into action include: (1) many research designs are too complex and difficult to understand; (2) many research…

If they are to develop more effective social intervention strategies, social scientists must pay attention to social causality in their research. This will lead to more credibility for the social sciences and more support for research funds. Social causality is defined as a social process that produces a change in some dependent variable. It…