The use of qualitative research methodology in adult education has (1) led to the concepts of marginality, enrollment economy, and perspective transformation; (2) stimulated research in participation, motivation, and self-directed learning; and (3) increased understanding of adult illiterates. Qualitative inquiry has potential for extending the…

Tells how to conduct a meta-analysis study, and refers readers to information about refinements of the techniques. A simple meta-analysis is presented. Describes three fundamental stages to conducting a meta-analysis: (1) literature review; (2) calculation of effect sizes; and (3) analysis of data. (Author/NB)

Delineates how changes in research methodology have impacted field of gerontology over past three decades. Illustrates impact of methodological changes on gerontology by discussing example of age-cohort-period problem as an innovation in research design. Examines case of confirmatory factor analysis as an illustration of how methodological…

Three-state study used Issues Validation, environmental scanning process for family life educators that combines literature reviews, professional and public opinion, and survey research to identify issues facing families and youth. Samples of residents, local advisory committees, and community professionals ranked 30 issues facing families and…

Presents four principles for archive-based language research: maximum readability and minimum bias; consistent encoding for exhaustive computer search; systematic contrastiveness; and data comparability in elicitation, transcription and coding. Examples from existing computer archives illustrate these and other principles, and strategies are…

Presents theoretical rationale, hypotheses, models, and methods and procedures of Georgia Centenarian Study, interdisciplinary study of oldest-old which began in 1988 to investigate adaptational characteristics of long-lived individuals. Introduces other articles in journal issue: first four reports of study, summarizing data collected in first…

Reviews current rates of adolescent pregnancy and associated costs. Contends better empirical and theoretical bases for intervention programs are needed in the future. Claims much could be gained from high quality evaluations of the many current intervention programs, although the political climate often influences program development. Previews…

The themes for a community-based nursing curriculum in a Hawaii project emerged from focus groups with multisectoral representation. Although the method was highly resource-intensive, it generated rich data and kept the voices and intentions of participants at the forefront. (SK)

This article provides an investigation of cluster validation indices that relates 4 of the indices to the L. Hubert and P. Arable (1985) adjusted Rand index--the cluster validation measure of choice (G. W. Milligan & M. C. Cooper, 1986). It is shown how these other indices can be "roughly" transformed into the same scale as the adjusted Rand…

Notwithstanding its iconic status within geography, the debate continues about how fieldwork should be taught to undergraduate students. The authors engage with this debate and argue that field studies should follow the teaching of research methodology. In this paper they review relevant literature on the place of fieldwork in geography training,…

Presents field data to examine family responsibility in caring for Alzheimer's disease patients. Addresses features of social comparison, issue contingency, family history, and kinship priority. Argues that qualitative analysis offers empirical lessons about family responsibility and caregiver functioning untaught by other methods. (Author)

Describes two new measures of consistency which refer to the extent to which more closely related scale types are found together in Holland's Self-Directed Search sort. One measure is based on the hexagonal model for use with three-point codes. The other is based on conditional probabilities for use with two-point codes. (Author/ABL)

Discusses literature on the physician-elderly patient-companion triad and proposes conceptual framework and methodological approach for understanding the companion's presence during the geriatric visit. Suggests agenda for both clinical and social science research. (Author)

Presents a theory of cognitive processing in counseling. Describes a research paradigm that considers cognitive processes and attempts to link such processes to the interactive behaviors of counselors and clients and to client learning outcomes. Considers methodological and conceptual issues related to the operationalization of this cognitive…

Defends the validity of the methodology and findings of a previously published report which ranked university Black Studies departments by achievement. Argues that the future of Black Studies depends upon its ability to impose standards of excellence upon itself. (KH)