The changes required by many school reform policies address problems that are extremely difficult to clarify, with organizational and environmental factors densely intertwined. Accordingly, this document begins by identifying the "four C's" that must be taken into account if any strategy for school improvement is to succeed: complexity,…

The English Microlab Registry (EMR) was first designed as a database, or research tool, for planners of English microlabs in order to give them access to information about all aspects of microlab management. But EMR also provides descriptive data about what a microlab is and may well provide insight into whether those labs will survive. An…

This instructional module is intended to present an overview of the interviewing process and to describe and allow practice in the basic skills and techniques of conducting a survey research interview. The module is designed for both undergraduate and graduate courses in research methods or as part of any established course in education or social…

An observational instrument called the Laboratory Interaction Categories-Student (LIC) is described. The LIC is an easily understandable and usable tool for assessing pupil laboratory performance. (MP)

On the premise that the variety of problems plaguing education can be clustered around central themes conducive to attack in a systematic way by educational research and development (R & D) personnel, this paper deals with the scope of management problems, requirements of an R & D management model, and a proposed R & D management system, which…

This paper explores the fault-tree analysis approach to isolating failure modes within a system. Fault tree investigates potentially undesirable events and then looks for failures in sequence that would lead to their occurring. Relationships among these events are symbolized by AND or OR logic gates, AND used when single events must coexist to…

This eight-chapter book clearly presents a theory of how children learn and, therefore, how teachers and others can help children think about science as well as other topics. Its ideas and techniques may be adopted for preschoolers when objects are conceptually ordered, or for theoretical physicists when findings are conceptually organized. In…

This master's thesis investigates the evaluative instruments currently available for measuring nonverbal behaviors in the classroom. Chapters discuss the following topics: classroom nonverbal communication, major and minor evaluative instruments, problems in current studies of nonverbal communication, and recommendations for further study of…

This paper discusses dynamic/interactive approaches to psychological assessment based on the concept of induced change as a research tactic. Studies are reviewed showing how interactive assessment has yielded new knowledge in psychopathology; neuropsychology; learning disabilities; intelligence testing (in normal, deaf, and immigrant children);…

Many social workers are anxious about the use of evaluation techniques and are particularly reticent about using statistical research. Strategies for understanding the steps involved in integrating practice and evaluation in a school social work setting, an appreciation for the need of evaluation, and knowledge of various resources on conducting…

The project documented in this report identified barriers researchers encounter in gaining access to--i.e., identifying, acquiring, handling, and using--published information and measured the seriousness of the more significant barriers. Fifty-one barriers were identified, and a method of measuring their seriousness was developed. Thirty of the…

This paper considers some of the problems inherent in teaching qualitative research methods within psychology. It stresses the use of a reflective approach to course design that aims to "emancipate" students in their own study and research, as well as equipping them with a combination of practical and theoretical skills. In addition to a brief…

Meaningful Internet activities should take advantage of the distance, multiple resources, and speed that telecommunications can offer. They should also require K-12 students to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate the information, rather than simply collecting facts. This paper focuses on basic, advanced, and original research activities of the…

State supervisors of home economics education for 50 states and Puerto Rico were surveyed to determine the extent to which home economics wage earning programs have been developed since funds became available under the Vocational Education Act of 1963. A questionnaire sought information about the following topics: (1) basic areas of programing,…

An annotated list cites reports, books, and other resources for institutional research into campus diversity. It includes studies undertaken by individual institutions, often including assessment instruments, organizational resources, books and articles, and electronic mail lists. (MSE)