McFee's perception-delineation theory is supported. Major methodological problems of the psychological research presented are in the area of set and the control of specific art materials. Among the conclusions: figure drawing may not be culture fair; a person trained in visual arts should be employed in research using figure drawing tests. (VW)

Research review is conceptualized as a scientific inquiry involving five stages that parallel those of primary research. The functions, sources of variance, and potential threats to validity associated with each stage are described. (Author/PN)

Examines the state of cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis in education, first examining the progress that has been made in these fields in the health and medical sectors. Explores one outstanding example of cost-benefit analysis and critiques four other educational evaluations. Synthesizes strengths of cost-effectiveness analysis in…

While a review by S. Graham (1994) found no differences between blacks and whites on measures of need for achievement, this meta-analysis article found reliable and complex race differences. Overall, whites scored higher on measures of need for achievement, although differences nearly disappeared in studies after 1970. Possible explanations are…

S. Graham comments on taking a meta-analytic approach to reviewing race differences in need for achievement, discussing limitations of the methodology. A rejoinder by H. Cooper and N. Dorr supports the utility of meta-analysis in such studies and discusses disadvantages to narrative review. (SLD)

Reviews writing research that implicates writing-speaking relationships by constructing contrasting positions for organizing the research and understanding the relationships: (1) that writing differs from speaking; and (2) that writing is similar to speaking. Research issues regarding integrating these positions are raised, and a guideline is…

The analysis by R. Greenwald, L. Hedges, and R. Laine (1996) suffers because of its statistical methods and because it is based on a sample that biases the study toward their conclusions. Econometric evidence and the aggregate performance of U.S. schools points toward serious problems with inefficient use of resources. (SLD)

Supports the findings of a meta-analysis that demonstrates that student achievement is related to the availability of resources, disagreeing with criticisms of method and sample selection made by E. Hanushek (1996). (SLD)

College student employment has been increasing steadily for at least four decades. At present, approximately 80% of all college students are employed while completing their undergraduate education. Even among students under the age of 24 at 4-year colleges, more than 50% are employed during the school year. Although some general trends are…

Differences between ethnographic, phenomenological, or qualitative research techniques are reviewed through an explanation of the rationale behind their use and discussion of some of the processes by which this type of research is conducted. While this article is focused on educational research, the discussion applies equally to social…

Observation of the authority structure at Xanadu, a free school, revealed that students rejected direction early in the first year of their enrollment, then discussed in evaluation papers the need for authority from the staff in averting the very problems that arose. (JB)

An examination of the weaknesses of the common statistical approaches suggests that change scores are unnecessary and often even inappropriate for statistical studies. Alternative statistical procedures are suggested. (Author/VW)

An analysis of the school climate literature, based on over 200 references, uses an organizational taxonomy to organize the diverse body of research and climate typologies. It draws conclusions about common findings and summarizes methodological issues common to school climate studies. (Author/PN)

A descriptive analysis of research practices and a meta-analysis of control group effect sizes are used to address Hawthorne effects in educational experiments. The analysis of 86 studies and 256 treatment/Hawthorne/no-treatment control group effect size comparisons indicate that artifact controls have limited utility in dealing with the Hawthorne…

Leader-succession research is refocused on its interactive roots whereas the advances of recent succession inquiry are explored in this synthesis of the literature. The approach capitalizes on efforts to understand leader-succession research from a multidimensional and social viewpoint. Organizational socialization is used to frame the discussion.…