This monograph reports the proceedings of the Multimedia Technology Seminar and consists of presented papers as well as summaries of demonstration and discussion sessions. Sessions covered the following topics: the role of learning theory in the development and application of multimedia technologies in special education; multimedia research in…

The role of research in the future of special education is discussed. The impact of research on practice is exemplified in the rise of the mainstreaming movement from research findings unable to find benefits in special class instruction for the mildly handicapped. The continuing ambivalence of the practitioner toward research is noted. The past…

This chapter examines, from four perspectives, the ways in which educational research, development, and evaluation activities in the United States are organized, controlled, and supported, and considers whether research can be properly used to shape educational policy and practice. First, the size and historical development of the research and…

In the context of a discussion of the use of meta-analysis techniques, two articles take issue with the findings of Casto and Mastropieri concerning effects of early intervention, in particular age-at-start parent involvement, conceptual and methodological problems. The authors of the original article provide rebuttals to the critiques. (JW)

This paper discusses the seven types of research tools that have potential for advancing knowledge about student services in California Community Colleges. The seven tools are the following: literature review, data validation, survey research, case study, quasi experiment, meta analysis, and statistical modeling. The report gives reasons why each…

This article describes characteristics of current research in education, examines three types of research (theoretical, practical applied, and practical action), and argues for the promotion and development of practical applied research as the type most useful to school teachers, and most qualified to bridge the gap between theory and practice.…

Recommends an approach to computer-assisted language learning and development activities that addresses the total instructional system, including non-technological components. Eight procedural steps, based on an input-process-output model, are described for developing, refining, and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of CALL teaching…

This commentary on EC 608 301 points out that devotion to the natural science canon of experimental proof in the area of generality testing requires proof procedures that are difficult, expensive, or impossible, but adopting a different canon of proof will not produce the desired certainty about the accuracy of the answer. (JDD)

This review offers a general theory of utilization of educational evaluation and considers factors affecting utilization, including evaluation context factors and evaluator-controlled factors. Special challenges in evaluating programs for gifted students and design shortcomings common in evaluation of such programs are identified. Specific…

This response to Rule et al. (EC 620 843) concerning translating research on naturalistic instruction into early-intervention practice with young children with disabilities raises concerns about treatment fidelity in such research studies, and notes the existence of pioneering models for studying treatment fidelity. (DB)

This response to Rule et al. (EC 620 843) concerning translating research on naturalistic instruction into early intervention practice with young children with disabilities questions whether the main features of naturalistic instruction are often fully implemented, and suggests that following the suggested guidelines might lead to actually…

This commentary on a previous article (EC 619 261) about medical consequences of child sexual abuse urges prospective studies using large populations to evaluate many variables, as well as selection of projects which are most likely to influence practice or policy and thus affect significant numbers of persons. (DB)

At Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas), focus group research was conducted to determine research needs and to inform the development of a new educational research center. Four graduate research assistants and a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership formed a study group to review the literature on focus groups and…

This paper seeks to establish evaluation as an important concern in hypermedia research and development, and presents a review of current hypermedia evaluation research with a prescriptive focus. Characteristics of hypermedia currently attracting the attention of instructional developers are discussed and conclusions drawn from recent evaluation…

This report summarizes major findings and policy implications of a University of Pittsburgh project titled Methodological Research on Knowledge Use and School Improvement. The major emphasis has been methodological rather than substantive. The primary purpose has been to describe, evaluate, and recommend alternative concepts, methods, and…