This paper sets the scene for a collection of papers based on "The impact of policy on learning and inclusion in the learning and skills sector," a research project funded from January 2004 until July 2007 by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of their Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP). We raise some…

Problem finding is a creative process whereby individuals develop original ideas for study. Secondary science students who successfully participate in authentic, novel, open inquiry studies must engage in problem finding to determine viable and suitable topics. This study examined problem finding strategies employed by students who successfully…

RESEARCH EXAMPLES ARE REVIEWED AS ILLUSTRATIVE OF SOUND PROCEDURE AND RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUE. BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AND PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS ARE SUGGESTED WITH RESPECT TO DESIGN, A VARIETY OF PROCEDURES, AND EVALUATION OF DATA. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ENGAGING IN RESEARCH AS WELL AS PROPER INTERPRETATION OF COMPLETED RESEARCH ARE LISTED. RESEARCH…

Criticizes the methodology used in the preparation of the report of the National Enquiry into Scholarly Publishing. Argues that small presses were underrepresented on the Enquiry staff and that several important factors were ignored during the course of the research. Challenges the Enquiry's findings and recommendations. (JP)

Sixteen indices of interobserver agreement and six methods for estimating coefficients of interobserver reliability were critiqued. (Author)

Gives examples of the focus group method in terms of question development, group composition and recruitment, interview protocols, and data analysis as applied to three family and consumer-sciences research projects: consumer behavior of working female adolescents, work readiness of adult males with low educational attainment, and definition of…

The "Starting School Research Project", based at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, promotes the involvement of children in research concerning their transition to school. Using examples of approaches that have been utilised to engage children as part of the research on their transition to school, this paper explores some of…

Participatory exercises are standard practice in qualitative methods courses; less common are projects that engage students in the entire research process, from research design to write-up. Although the teaching literature provides several models of complete research projects, their feasibility, and appropriateness for large, compulsory,…

The discussion of the gap between theory and practice has a long tradition in educational psychology and especially in research on learning and instruction. Starting with a short analysis of more or less elaborated approaches focusing on this problem, a complex procedure called "integrative research approach", specialized in reducing the gap…

A TENTATIVE DESIGN WAS DEVELOPED FOR A RESEARCH PROJECT TO BE DIRECTED TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR A FUNCTIONAL CURRICULUM IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR GRADES K-16. THE RESEARCH PLAN WILL BE USED AS A BASE FOR FUTURE EFFORTS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECREATION TO GIVE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP…

This feature summarizes a research project to determine methodological adequacy and policy utility of rehabilitation research. The project finds a severe lack of quality in rehabilitation research. The reviewers take issue with the research and its findings. The authors reiterate their initial position in a follow-up statement. (NG)

Results of questionnaires sent to 85 teachers regarding various aspects of action research. (SP)

Analysis of textiles and clothing research in the Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, and Clothing and Textiles Research Journal 1980-1999 (n=586) found that survey and experimentation were used most often; data analysis is primarily quantitative, although qualitative is increasing; and in the…

Effective teaching in mixed ability classes has dominated much of the Cyprus government's agenda for educational reform. However, there remains widespread dissatisfaction with Cyprus teachers' ability to teach in mixed ability classes. A factor behind the unsuccessful attempts of the Ministry of Education and Culture to improve teaching in mixed…