This handbook is a much expanded version of the original Learning Activities Survey published by Dr. Kathleen P. King of Fordham University in 1998. Based on her ground breaking research in this field where she used a mixed methodology research approach to study transformative learning, the book will provide a model of research, firsthand…

Suggests a possible research strategy for ensuring successful follow-up of respondents in longitudinal surveys. (TO)

Research has identified a number of effective means of maximizing returns to mailed questionnaires. The accompanying cover letter, the first contact with the potential respondents, may be the most important aspect of the survey. Studies indicate that the most effective cover letters incorporate personalization with an altruistic and/or egoistic…

This paper discusses the nature of research and identifies some of the questions which it is important to address at the planning stage and to return to throughout the life of any research study. In a discussion of the nature of research, it is noted that research findings must be potentially generalizable. The criteria for identifying research…

Like all good social research methods, the interview demands careful planning and intelligent administration. The study director formulates the goals of the study, which serve as the basis for the interview schedule or instrument. The interview schedule decided upon may be standardized or unstandardized. Questions may be closed-ended or…

Obtaining accurate and reliable data on curriculum and instruction in two-year colleges poses many unique problems for institutional researchers. The methodologies presented here are those used by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges in a study of science instructional programs. The study included a curriculum component, a survey of…

This article is the second contribution to a research methods series dedicated to getting good results from survey research. In this series, "good results" is a stenographic term used to define surveys that yield accurate and meaningful information that decision makers can use with confidence when conducting program evaluation and policy…

These proceedings contain forty three- to seven-page papers presented at an adult education research conference as well as two alternate papers, a background paper for a poster session, and abstracts and background papers of six symposia. Focus of the reports is on research needs, tools, and methods as they pertain to adult education. Issues…

Combining community participation in decision making with methods of social investigation, participatory research focuses on involvement of the subjects of the research in the research process. Adult educators are exploring this research method which, unlike quantitative research, serves the needs of individuals and not those of policy makers who…

Volume III of the National Day Care Study First Annual Report funded by the Office of Child Development describes the information management system which was developed and tested during Phase I. In addition, the volume includes overviews of the sample instruments from the three major data collection systems developed during the year: the Research…

This is a compendium of research instruments and procedures concerned with the school curriculum and instructional practices for developing a data base to be used in comprehensive educational planning. The instruments and procedures were designed and tested with the cooperation of the boards of education, administrators, teachers, students, and…

This project was conducted to refine and expand previous research indicating the need for an instrument counselors can use in working with area secondary schools and potential students to assess their progress in making career and training decisions. Instruments developed during this research process were pilot tested at two area schools and…