Describes an introductory sociology class that used two forms of an in-class survey to conduct experiments regarding response framework: response order and question order. The results of the experiment are presented to the class. This encourages critical thinking and informed skepticism about research methodologies. (MJP)

Maintains that even a cursory reading of "The Bell Curve" reveals a skewed methodology that deliberately ignores relevant data. Includes statistical tables illustrating the relationship between environmental factors and test scores. Contends that the basic purpose of "The Bell Curve" is to justify economic racism. (MJP)

This article describes the methodological challenges and processes involved in designing and conducting the School Health Policies and Programs Study. Information is provided on questionnaire development, sampling, data collection, and weighting and variance estimation. (SM)

Evaluates a project in which two library liaisons assisted freshman English students in writing library research papers. The need to develop new bibliographic instruction programs in conjunction with teaching faculty is also discussed, noting that this revives the aggressive 19th-century scholar/librarian model. (27 references) (KRN)

Explores the origins and development of the Graduate Department of Social Economy and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College, PA. Analyzes social science teaching and research fostered in the department. Includes two tables listing women who received doctorates from the department between 1915 and 1940 along with a faculty listing. (CFR)

Discusses distinctions between the anthropology of education and educational research. Although the educationist generally has a technocist view of the reality of schooling (how to do it more efficiently), the anthropologist deals with the relational reality of schooling (what events mean to participants). (SLD)

Examines educational research conducted in various settings that has adopted network learning approaches. Two categories of network learning are described--collaborative network learning and information network access--and approaches and methods used in studying network learning are discussed, including the design of network learning, network…

Examines two concepts: subjective theory and teacher-as-researcher. Two research models (the subjective to scientific exchange approach and action research) are applied to two case studies of teachers participating in an inquiry-based INSET course to test the usefulness of theoretical change concepts for the understanding of individual change…

Discussion of text files and textual analysis in humanities research focuses on the results of two surveys of Research Libraries Group (RLG) academic libraries which was conducted to identify the systems used to support text files. Description of a system at the University of Michigan includes examples of screen formats, and seven sidebars…

A computerized method is described whereby a mirror image pair of drawings, simultaneously drawn by the right and the left hands, can be compared. This BASIC computer program, which is available from the authors, has applications to a variety of psychological studies. (Author/JJK)

The evolution of the student tracking system at Amarillo College, a Texas community college, is chronicled for three stages: (1) early efforts; (2) participation in the development of a consortium-based longitudinal student tracking project beginning in 1986; and (3) more recent developments. Tools and techniques used at each stage are discussed…

Development, structure, and uses of multi-institutional and statewide student databases at the state level are examined, based on results of a national survey of state higher education agencies. The issue of confidentiality is also discussed. Construction and uses of a multi-institutional system in Colorado are then described, and its advantages…

Describes a qualitative action research study that investigated the effectiveness of an assignment for tenth graders that required primary research methods and an essay. Topics include authentic research; constructivist theory of learning; performance-based assessment; student journals; peer editing; teacher-librarian collaboration; and student…

Over the last several decades, undergraduate history instruction has increasingly emphasized efforts to engage students in hands-on historical research. Texts that present students with sets of primary sources for analysis are now widely available. These texts strive to build students' research and analytical skills, and engage them in the…

This report presents current aggregate and disaggregate data on the dropout rates for grades 7 through 12 in the Texas public schools, along with projected dropout rates for these grades over the next 5 years. The number of dropouts and the dropout rate have declined significantly since 1987-88, the first year of dropout reporting. In that year,…