A study addressed the questions of what teachers and students do with background-concept questions in historical study, and how these questions are connected (or not) to the teaching of foreground concepts. If teachers borrow and teach reading-language arts research strategies (strategic knowledge) and integrate them into historical study, does…

Using the "3 R's of Reporting" (Research, Reinforce, Rehearse) provides the process secondary students need to overcome their fear of making oral presentations. Much of this anxiety can be reduced by teaching students to use electronic supports for the research, preparation, and delivery of oral reports. Online bulletin board systems,…

This paper reports the results of 4 years of a mentoring program at the University of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) that has been directed to developing the research aspirations and performance of ex-Melbourne College of Advanced Education staff who are coping with increased research demands following the 1989 amalgamation with the University of…

This paper describes the rationale and purpose of a library assignment (suitable for 100- and 200-level communication courses) designed to expose students to concepts about communication research. The assignment encourages students to explore the library, enhances their understanding of the research process and scholarly journals, helps them…

Twelve graduate students from a variety of fields who were enrolled in a qualitative research class met in an informal setting that facilitated a collaborative learning mode--defined in this presentation as a method of group interaction whereby all members learn from each other's experiences, scholarship, and skills. The first of the six papers…

Sixty-nine employers of researchers and evaluators participated in a market research study conducted by the Department of Educational Foundations and Research at Gallaudet University. The sample included consulting firms, government agencies, professional associations, and other educational agencies in the greater Washington, D.C. area, as well as…

A university departmental merit evaluation plan and lessons learned from implementing the plan are discussed. The faculty evaluation plan was based on four principles: broad-based faculty and administrative support; informing faculty of expectations of them before the evaluation; providing a description of the primary decision-making and…

The seminar concept is a form of independent study that allows children the opportunity to learn as much as they like on a chosen topic while they are acquiring valuable library research skills. The child begins a seminar project by writing down all possible ideas he or she can think of for exploring a topic. This is done on a "brainstorming"…

This paper discusses critical questioning (i.e., Socratic questioning) as a requirement for critical thinking and examines how critical questioning techniques can be incorporated into a technology-based course. A taxonomy of Socratic questioning is presented that includes the following categories of questions: questions of clarification; questions…

Many students view statistics as their worst college course. Four heuristics that can improve students' proficiency in statistics and in interpreting reports of research are presented in this paper. The heuristics guide students' judgments about significance, generalizability, cause-and-effect, and strength of independent-dependent variable…

A curriculum activity was initiated to provide preservice teachers with a personal knowledge base of active research procedures through the use of class-related activities. A research component was included in a required preservice class in assessment. Following the principles of scaffolding theory, students who had studied the elements of…

This paper is intended to give graduate level special education students (and others) a structure to facilitate completion of a field study/thesis for a master's degree or a dissertation for the doctorate. First, a format for a dissertation/thesis proposal is suggested and guidelines are offered for development of the proposal. The importance of a…

In an effort to promote computer literacy among advertising students, an assignment was devised that required the use of online database search techniques to find secondary research materials. The search program, chosen for economical reasons, was "Classroom Instruction Program" offered by Dialog Information Services. Available for a…

Impacts of conflicting academic and professional pressures on graduate schools of education in research universities are examined, along with reforms to reduce these conflicts. Information was obtained from reports and interviews at graduate schools of education, including the University of California at Berkeley, George Peabody College for…

A 56-item rating scale of research and evaluation competencies for vocational educators was developed. Four skill categories were included: (1) reviewing and analyzing completed research; (2) conducting research; (3) conducting evaluation; and (4) managing research and evaluation activities. Respondents were asked to rate each of the items,…