The results of this study were a series of propositions dealing with the cost-effectiveness of instructional technology. The propositions were developed by collecting and sythesizing existing studies on the subject through use of a propositional inventory research design. Approximately three hundred studies were reviewed and evaluated in terms of…

This paper describes a series of longitudinal experiments which dealt with the development of object awareness in infants, ages 6-18 months. The experiments were designed to document and evaluate Piaget's account of this development. The studies focused on two types of phenomena: (1) when infants first find an object hidden in one place, they will…

A research team from the School of Journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, designed a research methodology for tracing the flow of interpersonal communication in a community in a crisis situation. They devised a completely detailed research plan including advance arrangements, a trained research team, a suitable survey instrument, and…

The purpose of this study was to track teachers using Astronomy Village (registered) over 2 school years. Prior research indicated that teachers were successful with the students when they enjoyed extensive support from the project developers. What would happen when the project support was no longer available? Would their students be as…

Describes three major categories of polarities in research attitudes and practices: (1) attitudes about research and who should conduct it, (2) impressions of what research is, and (3) conceptions about research methods and findings. Calls for moderating the polarizations for a more balanced view and more productive business communication…

Describes chemical education research conducted in classrooms using a qualitative methodology. The researcher studies interactions between learners, the teacher leading the instruction, and the material being studied in hopes of better understanding where learning occurs. This is diametrically opposed to standard experimental research, being…

This paper discusses 10 reasons why outdoor education research needs more and better methods and measures. These reasons encompass the following areas of discussion: (1) the researcher's theories and values influence the research methods and measures chosen; (2) measurement must be relevant to the phenomenon measured, and multilevel phenomena may…

This study uses generalizability theory to examine the dependability of anchoring labels of Likert-type scales. Variance components associated with labeling were estimated in two samples using a two-facet random effect generalizability-study design. In one sample, 173 graduate students in education were administered 7 items measuring attitudes…

The methodology of using a mixed qualitative and quantitative research design to evaluate 16 "inclusive" preschool programs in a continuing study is detailed. The qualitative approach was used to understand the general phenomenon and integrated with more quantitative, structured, and precise measures in an iterative, sequential process to develop…

The West Yorkshire (England) Sports Counselling Association (WYSC) is a voluntary organization that, in partnership with the Probation Service, provides sports counseling to persons on probation or youth justice supervision. Sports leaders provide sports counseling on a one-on-one basis during a 12-week program of activities designed for the…

A study on sampling errors of variance components was conducted within the framework of generalizability theory by P. L. Smith (1978). The study used an intuitive approach for solving the problem of how to allocate the number of conditions to different facets in order to produce the most stable estimate of the universe score variance. Optimization…

The literature is reviewed regarding the difference between planned contrasts, OVA and unplanned contrasts. The relationship between statistical power of a test method and Type I, Type II error rates is first explored to provide a framework for the discussion. The concepts and formulation of contrast, orthogonal and non-orthogonal contrasts are…

The concept of control is fundamental to comparative research. In research designs where randomization of observational units is not possible, control has been exercised statistically from a single covariate by a process of residualization. The alternative, known as subclassification on the propensity score, was developed primarily for…

Statistical power in music education was examined by taking an in-depth look at quantitative articles published in the "Journal of Research in Music Education" between 1987 and 1991, inclusive. Of the 109 articles of the period, 78 were quantitative, with both parametric and nonparametric procedures considered. Sample sizes were those…

This paper describes the strategies used by the Research Department chief of the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Schools to restructure a department beset with staff cuts, district reorganization, and a demoralized staff. The reform movement for accountability is challenging school district research departments to provide timely, meaningful, objective…