There are differences between biomedical and educational research. The procedures associated with the protection of research participants cannot be transplanted from the medical setting into the educational setting in unmodified fashion without dislocation of many segments of educational research and development. (Author/EB)

Triangulation strategy results in evidence characterized by the following: (1) convergence; (2) inconsistency; and (3) contradiction. In order to render the data sensible, the researcher or evaluator must report data collection procedures, as well as the three levels of information from which explanations of social phenomena are constructed. (BJV)

Two approaches of statistical testing are critically reviewed. A new approach, which is a hybrid of the two, is proposed. The new approach requires the researcher to think about the two types of potential inferential errors and an explicit alternative hypothesis of interest. (VM)

Teaches researchers how to improve the quality of both the content and the delivery of research paper presentations. Covers the following topics: (1) understanding the medium; (2) using visual aids; (3) presentation design; (4) delivery; and (5) managing question-and-answer time. (FMW)

Describes how to use e-mail, file transfer protocol, and gophers in the conduct of educational research. Special attention is paid to the lists and to the gopher of the American Educational Research Association. Educational researchers are using the Internet in a variety of ways. (SLD)

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) must actively promote equality and affirmative action for women in view of current federal policy's negative impact on equity. AERA needs to focus on issues concerning women's traditional roles, knowledge about women and humankind, and women's professional roles in education. (Author/MJL)

Studies comparing the external characteristics of instructional methods have obscured the most important variable which accounts for learning from instruction: macroprocesses, or the frequency and intensity with which students cognitively process instructional input. Further research on macroprocesses may be a meeting point between the psychology…

Wong has argued that the role of the teacher/researcher is full of conflict in that the pull of either students or research may affect commitment to the other. It is argued that research is not inherently conflictual, but that one teacher/researcher's tension is another's intention. (SLD)

Describes the postdoctoral fellowship program of the Spencer Foundation. Administered by the National Academy of Education, Spencer Fellowships (30 annually) enable young scholars to pursue educational research by giving them the equivalent of a year off from teaching. (SLD)

Explores experiences of a school board member, himself an educational researcher, that relate to the relationship between social science research and educational policymaking. Why decision makers are skeptical about the value of research in formulating policy is considered, and thoughts are presented on the future of educational research. (SLD)

With a presidential election only one year away, now is the time for educators and educational researchers to become acquainted with and involved in legislative and policy initiatives that can improve education. (GC)

Examines several problems posed for empirical and theoretical research by the achievement of hegemony by one culture or system of thought over others. Discusses minority underrepresentation and its impact on knowledge production in education and the social sciences. Questions the universal utility of some highly respected tenets of science. (JS)

Efforts by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) to promote diversity in the educational research community are reviewed. In spite of the association's efforts to advance women and minorities, the pipeline problem of supply remains. Educational systems must encourage students of various cultures to enter fields of education and…

The main differences between pragmatism and scientific realism seem to focus on the certainty of knowledge. Pragmatists contend that one can never be entirely certain of one's beliefs, whereas scientific realists argue that progress has been, and can be, made in explaining things about the world. (SLD)

In this address before the American Educational Research Association, the director of the National Institute of Education discusses the leadership role of that agency in educational improvement and emphasizes the importance of cooperation between research and practice communities, between administrators and policymakers, and among federal, state,…