Ating It Points of View or Opinions

Comparative analyses of educational methods have often been inconclusive; there are several possible explanations: (1) each method is optimally effective under specifically differing circumstances; (2) the studies tend to emphasize one input variable to the exclusion of the others; (3) the methods do not have widely accepted definitions; and (4) the methods are often tested before they are perfected. Comparative studies could be enhanced by more rigorously defining the methods that are being investigated and by standardizing the laboratory techniques and observation schemes that are employed. In addition, the studies could be lade more usable to the layman by spelling out what standards of educational effectiveness the researcher has employed. To obtain an answer for a specific comparison in a designated milieu, carefully controlled studies can be mounted using similar populations aimed at similar instructional goals and exposed to two differing treatments. (EMH) *********************************************************************** Documents acquired by ERIC include many inform-1 unpublished * materials not available from other sources. ERIC makes every effort * * to obtain the best copy available. Nevertheless, items of marginal * * reproducibility are often encountered and this affects the quality * * of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions ERIC makes available * * via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS). EDRS is not * responsible for the quality of the original document. Reproductions * * supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original. * *********************************************************************** learning and development U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION &WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO. DUCE 0 EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN. ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED 00 NOT NECESSARILY REPPE SENT OFFICIAL. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY -PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS COPY WONTED MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY QeOreila L. ael'S ,Cf-D-44eGq11 on' v TO ERIC AND ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING UNDER AGREEMENTS WITH THE NATIONAL IN. STRUTS OF EDUCATION FURTHER REPRO. DUCTION OUTSIDE THE ERIC SYSTEM REQUIRES PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER' OL 7 NO. 3 DecemberJanuary 1976 "TRICK OR TREATMENT" by George L. Geis