While the rationalistic approach traditionally employed in research and development efforts in the social sciences may be the best method of inquiry to use in the physical sciences, social scientists, and, more particularly, vocational education researchers, would do better to adopt a naturalistic method of research. The naturalist approach to…

This paper argues that if researchers studying a recognized category of behavior, such as fantasy play or aggression, were to focus on prototypical instances of the behavior, there should be high inter-researcher agreement of just the sort that operational definitions were intended to secure. A study of fantasy play was conducted using a paradigm…

This paper deals with future research needs and problems in learning disabilities, and is divided into the following two broad categories: (1) supporting conditions, which involve necessary prerequisites to the research effort; and (2) procedural considerations, which deal with methodological concerns. First, the problems posed by supporting…

Four means of altering fat levels in laboratory mice, contrasting invasive injection techniques with non-invasive dietary and behavioral means, are described. Relates these investigations concerning obesity to the practicality of using animal models as an approach in searching for physiological knowledge about human beings. (CS)

Uses multidimensional scaling and clustering analysis of the co-citation patterns of 58 authors to explore the intellectual organization of population genetics and related specialties. Concludes that co-cited author mapping, with the author as the unit of analysis, is likely to complement studies of informal communication networks. (SR)

Profiles a few of the affinities between pragmatists and scientific realists, and indicates a few dramatic differences dividing these schools of thought. Pragmatic research is driven by anticipated consequences. Scientific realists hope to find the truth about what the world is really like. (SLD)

In March, 2004, the federal Department of Education issued proposed Title IX regulations that promise to provide public school districts and charter school organizers considerable flexibility in establishing single-sex classes and schools. At the same time, however, as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, the Department has called for…

Although feminist perspectives about research have not been presented in a unified paradigm, feminist theory has helped to expose and demystify the empirical assumption of objectivity as the only way to truth in research. The feminist perspective in research represents alternate, non-oppressive formulations of what constitutes meaningful and valid…

Issues that are central to science when the object of inquiry is the human being need clarification and analysis. These issues can be formulated as a question, such as, "How can researchers in adult and continuing education conduct research that is empirical human science; that is, how can they study human beings as persons with values, will,…

Current literature and federal agency pronouncements concerning falsification of discovery, theft of discoveries, and violations of accepted research procedures are examined, and internal institutional procedures for addressing these issues are suggested. Particular attention is given to due process afforded to faculty accused of such misconduct.…

A discussion of misconduct in scientific research looks at the roles of several segments of the scientific community (federal government, universities, scholarly journals, and individual scientists) in exercising control of misconduct. Limitations of their roles and overall implications for policy are examined. (MSE)

Presents a naturalistic perspective on inquiry as a compelling philosophy for educational administration. Naturalistic inquiry is ethical, open, growing, self-corrective, fallible, and resembles scientific inquiry. Subjectivism, neo-Marxist critical theory, postmodernism, and identity politics are all creatures of the times. Thriving on relativism…

A few years ago, while interviewing for a tenure-track position at a large, public institution in the Midwest, the author was informed that several faculty members suspected him of being "an activist posing as an academic" because the faculty thought that his research lacked "objectivity." Based on subsequent conversations the author had during…

This article presents a rejoinder on the commentaries regarding the author's focus article titled, "Measurement of Central Aspects of Scientific Research: Performance, Interdisciplinarity, Structure," structuring comments around a number of main topics discussed by the authors of the commentaries. The author presents technical issues…

As teachers are probably the most invaluable source of field-based informants regarding (in)effective classroom practices, teacher-training should equip teachers with tools for classroom-based teacher-led research. More importantly, these tools should sustain trainees' research-eagerness as well as autonomous professional development beyond…