An explanation of the misuse of statistical significance testing and the true meaning of "significance" is offered. Literature about the criticism of current practices of researchers and publications is reviewed in the context of tests of significance. The problem under consideration occurs when researchers attempt to do more than just establish…

Age is often ranked as a significant variable in research studies concerned with the measurement of intellectual and linguistic capacities, including reading. In fact, age is often cited as the cause of a decline in performance on such tasks. However, determining the social, psycho-social, and physiological status of subjects and applying…

Queries 'n Theories provides a parallel to the strong inference approach to scientific method--designing experiments, observing data, and theorizing. (Author)

The development of the between-class, within-class analysis has facilitated a more refined analysis of classroom processes and influences: those which affect a class as a whole, a student within a class, or an individual student independent of context. However, a problem arises in using a between-class, within-class analysis to infer a particular…

In order to obtain accurate and factual data, a survey instrument must be well constructed and a survey planned carefully and conducted under strict conditions. Of importance in planning a survey is a determination of previous and on-going research through an extensive literature review. In designing the survey, the researcher should aim at…

REPORTS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INITIAL TEACHING ALPHABET (I.T.A.) FOR INSTRUCTION IN BEGINNING READING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH CAUTION. SINCE NO DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS USED IS AVAILABLE, EDUCATORS FAIL TO ASSESS RESULTS OBJECTIVELY AND ARE MISLED BY DRAMATIC GAINS WHICH REFER TO SPECIAL CONDITIONS. HAWTHORNE…

THE AUTHOR'S PURPOSE IN THIS CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CURRENT LINGUISTIC THOUGHT IS TO "INVITE LINGUISTS TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THOSE BELIEFS WHICH REST ULTIMATELY UPON CERTAIN PHILOSOPHICAL COMMITMENTS" AND WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED (IN HER OPINION) WITHOUT PROPER ASSESSMENT. SOME OF THE BELIEFS SHE QUESTIONS ARE--(1) THAT LINGUISTIC METHOD…

Traditional research literature distinguishes between two general types of threats to the generalizability of experimental findings: Internal validity and external validity. Relatively minor importance has been attached to external validity in educational literature. Bracht and Glass elaborate on external validity and deal with two types:…

Discusses, in the context of library evaluation, the major sources of untrustworthy information and describes what can be done to control them. The emphasis is on assessing the impact of changed operations. (JD)

Whereas group research designs inform us about aggregate experience, single case models seek to answer research questions by a more complete analysis of an individual's life. This article focuses on three single case methodologies: psychohistory, case study, and intensive experimental design. The influence of the holistic perspective is discussed.…

The authors review nineteen evaluations and reports dealing with alternative schools, examining the structure of the research, findings, and recommendations. In an examination of the research methodology, weaknesses are described and suggestions for improving the quality of future research are made. (MJB)

Presents a theoretical discussion of the role of cohort effects in the study of human development. The paper examines three problems associated with cohort analysis. These involve the interrelated problems of defining boundaries, defining distinctive experiences, and analyzing typical response patterns. (BD)

This critique points out weaknesses regarding the test measures used by Munsinger and Douglass and questions the validity of these measures for the ages of the children used in their study. (JMB)

This paper suggests that, at present, a science of natural developmental processes does not exist because few studies are concerned with development as it transpires in naturalistic environments and because truly developmental data are not collected or analyzed. (Author/JMB)