This article presents procedures for improving professional group cooperation in responding to mailed survey questionnaires which differ from those used with general populations. The procedures deal with: (1) improving the cost-benefit ratio of cooperation; (2) being sensitive to confidentiality concerns; and (3) allowing respondents a full range…

This article suggests that although student evaluation of instructional quality is important, most commonly used evaluation questionnaires do not truly measure instructional quality. It urges care in the use of these scores in areas affecting the welfare of instructors. (Editor)

Focuses on the needs of one-parent families and what the schools can do to help. Also describes development of a questionnaire to research such needs. (LD)

Describes a study that investigated the opinions of distance educators and practitioners in Australia regarding the availability of research information, areas in which research efforts should be concentrated, and the order of priority to be given to research areas in distance education. (LRW)

Provides eight guidelines for the effective design of questionnaires to be used in the assessment of training needs. Highlights include cost effectiveness; the use of surveys; front-end analysis; and examples for each guideline. (LRW)

Item-writing considerations in creating instruments using Likert-type scales, according to Michael Busch, include semantics of labeling response choices and number of response categories. Jean Turner discusses problems regarding the use of Likert-scale questionnaires for L2 research, for instance the cultural background of language learners being…

When questionnaires were used to assess the involvement of state library agencies in the provision of public library youth services, a consultant profile emerged. Consultants' activities, strengths and weaknesses are described, and a stronger commitment by agencies to consultants and to effective library service for children is urged. (EA)

Examines Blumenschein's "Description of Various Libraries in Europe" as an early example of library research methodology; discusses his methods of data collection; describes his use of a questionnaire; and suggests the necessity of further studies of the development of research in library and information science. (Contains 10…

Peer review is the primary means of ensuring the maintenance of standards that are deemed appropriate for scientific publications. There are many similarities, but also some differences, in the way the review process is conducted by different editors, and there are differences among reviewers in how they deal with the same manuscript--the…

Teacher effectiveness is an issue that has received increased attention in recent years, as researchers have become aware of limitations in models that see the school as the key arena for improving pupil learning outcomes. This renewed interest makes it timely to look again at the methods used in teacher effectiveness research. This article…

This paper presents student perspectives on what they consider to be a fair and equitable national education system, based on their own experiences of primary and secondary level schooling by the age of 13 or 14. A survey of 5432 students in five countries involved a questionnaire administered as part of an EU-funded project to develop indicators…

The general goal of research into LGBT issues among youth is, of course, to improve the situation of young people. Research on its own cannot attain such an objective; it is a tool in a chain of interventions. Implementation of the recommendations of research is essential for effective use of research. But, implementation is often difficult. To…

One hundred sixteen students enrolled at two midwestern universities in neighboring states completed a 28-item Student Perceptions of Evaluations Questionnaire to determine students' attitudes towards the evaluation process. Four central questions to be answered were: (1) Do students understand how evaluations are used? (2) What are students'…

A principal discusses ways to help get acquainted with a new school and staff. He developed a questionnaire he distributed to his staff to help break the ice. Includes a copy of the questionnaire.(MD)

The annual Gallup Poll reveals what the public thinks about national education issues, Should these results be used to set local policy? A North Dakota school district did its own local survey in 1986 and describes how it was done. Includes seven references. (Author/MD)