Qualitative and Quantitative Research Trends in Special Education Journals

Abstract

This study investigated the trend in the number and types of research articles published in selected special education journals in 1968, 1977, and 1986. Results indicated that the majority of published articles were not data-baed. While some variation was found in descriptive and experimental research across the years, relatively stable rates were found in quantitative and qualitative research. Qualitative research accounts for a small minority of published research.