Scientific Research in Education

Researchers, historians, and philosophers of science have debated the nature of scientific research in education for more than 100 years. Recent enthusiasm for "evidence-based" policy and practice in educationa "now codified in the federal law that authorizes the bulk of elementary and secondary education programsa "have brought a new sense of urgency to understanding the ways in which the basic tenets of science manifest in the study of teaching, learning, and schooling. Scientific Research in Education describes the similarities and differences between scientific inquiry in education and scientific inquiry in other fields and disciplines and provides a number of examples to illustrate these ideas. Its main argument is that all scientific endeavors share a common set of principles, and that each fielda "including education researcha "develops a specialization that accounts for the particulars of what is being studied. The book also provides suggestions for how the federal government can best support high-quality scientific research in education.

Conflict and its management

Stepped wedge randomised trial designs involve sequential roll-out of an intervention to participants (individuals or clusters) over a number of time periods. By the end of the study, all participants will have received the intervention, although the order in which participants receive the intervention is determined at random. The design is particularly relevant where it is predicted that the intervention will do more good than harm (making a parallel design, in which certain participants do not receive the intervention unethical) and/or where, for logistical, practical or financial reasons, it is impossible to deliver the intervention simultaneously to all participants. Stepped wedge designs offer a number of opportunities for data analysis, particularly for modelling the effect of time on the effectiveness of an intervention. This paper presents a review of 12 studies (or protocols) that use (or plan to use) a stepped wedge design. One aim of the review is to highlight the potential for the stepped wedge design, given its infrequent use to date. Comprehensive literature review of studies or protocols using a stepped wedge design. Data were extracted from the studies in three categories for subsequent consideration: study information (epidemiology, intervention, number of participants), reasons for using a stepped wedge design and methods of data analysis. The 12 studies included in this review describe evaluations of a wide range of interventions, across different diseases in different settings. However the stepped wedge design appears to have found a niche for evaluating interventions in developing countries, specifically those concerned with HIV. There were few consistent motivations for employing a stepped wedge design or methods of data analysis across studies. The methodological descriptions of stepped wedge studies, including methods of randomisation, sample size calculations and methods of analysis, are not always complete. While the stepped wedge design offers a number of opportunities for use in future evaluations, a more consistent approach to reporting and data analysis is required.

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The stepped wedge trial design: a systematic review

Searching The following databases were searched: ERIC (1980 to 1997), PsycINFO (1980 to 1997), MEDLINE (1966 to 1997), CINAHL (1982 to 1997), ASSIA (1980 to 1997), Sociofile (1974 to 1997), EMBASE (1980 to 1997), and the British Education Index (1980 to 1997). No time or language restrictions were applied. The following databases were searched for 'grey' literature: SIGLE (1980 to 1997), DHSS Data (1980 to 1997), and Dissertation Abstracts (1980 to 1997). The MEDLINE strategy was adapted for use with other databases. Relevant web pages were scanned, including those of the European Network of Health Promoting Schools. Reference lists of retrieved papers were examined to identify further relevant studies. Requests for unpublished data were made to individuals and organisations in the field of health promotion. Bibliographies of identified reviews were scanned for relevant studies. Search terms were listed in an appendix to the main report.

https://njl-admin.nihr.ac.uk/document/download/2011905

Health promoting schools and health promotion in schools: two systematic reviews

A program designed to prevent alcohol misuse among working adults was developed and presented in four sessions to employees of a medium-sized printing company. The Working People program, based on a social-learning model, was field-tested with 108 employees in the context of a quasi-experimental design. Members of the Program Group (n = 38) and two Comparison Groups (n = 26 and 44) were assessed before and after the program on a questionnaire containing measures of alcohol consumption, attitudes and intentions regarding alcohol use, problem consequences of alcohol use, and health beliefs. Program effects were demonstrated on alcohol consumption, motivation to reduce consumption, and problem consequences of drinking. No effects were found on health beliefs or self-efficacy to reduce drinking. Although the findings are qualified by the self-selected nature of the samples, the results suggest that alcohol consumption can be reduced among adults who participate in this type of worksite program.

Preventing alcohol use problems among blue-collar workers: A field test of the Working People program

The majority of heavy drinkers and users of illicit drugs are employed adults, yet there is a dearth of sophisticated substance abuse prevention efforts in the workplace. This article reviews the approaches to worksite-based substance abuse prevention and presents the results of a field test of a prevention program aimed at the individual worker. Based on these findings and other theoretical perspectives from the literature, an expanded conceptual model for workplace substance abuse prevention is presented.

Substance abuse prevention in the workplace: Recent findings and an expanded conceptual model.

With the growing recognition that most illicit drug users and heavy drinkers are members of the work force, the workplace has become an increasingly significant, though still underutilized, vehicle for the delivery of substance abuse prevention services. This paper discusses some of the chief reasons for engaging in substance abuse prevention in the workplace; outlines the foundations of workplace prevention services; and reviews recent research on workplace substance abuse prevention, including the major preventive interventions aimed at the workplace environment and the individual worker. The paper closes with a discussion of future programming and research on the delivery of workplace prevention services.

Prevention of Substance Abuse in the Workplace: Review of Research on the Delivery of Services

The rapid growth of mediation programs in the past decade has been accompanied by substantial research and commentary. Although most studies of mediation find it to be effective and satisfying for resolving disputes outside the courts, questions remain about its processes, effectiveness, and broad impact. This article examines both long-standing and newly emerging issues in light of the varied programs established since 1969 (and with regard to the accompanying research and commentary). These issues include the appropriateness of mediation for different types of disputes; concerns about power disparity, coercion, and state control; public knowledge and use of mediation; the affiliation of mediation programs with government agencies or communities; and their impact on the justice system, and on neighborhood development and empowerment.

Issues in Mediation: Rhetoric and Reality Revisited

An alternatives-oriented, school-based drug abuse prevention program, Positive Alternatives for Youth (PAY), was evaluated over a 2-year period. Using a random-assignment, pretest-posttest control group design, 135 PAY students and 106 control group students were assessed on several attitudinal and behavioral measures of drug use. During the first year significant differences were detected between PAY and control students. Fewer differences were found in the second year, although a special analysis showed evidence of impact on PAY students rated as more involved in program activities. Reasons for specific results are discussed and implications are drawn for the alternatives approach and the field of drug abuse prevention.

Royer F. Cook

Papers

Preventing alcohol use problems among blue-collar workers: A field test of the Working People program

Substance abuse prevention in the workplace: Recent findings and an expanded conceptual model.

Prevention of Substance Abuse in the Workplace: Review of Research on the Delivery of Services

Issues in Mediation: Rhetoric and Reality Revisited

An Evaluation of the Alternatives Approach to Drug Abuse Prevention