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ebook download (eBook PDF) Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications 12th Edition all chapter
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differences in research designs and to understand topics beyond the scope of the text are presented at
more fully how the nature of the research ques- a very elementary level, and students are directed
tion influences the selection of a research design. to other sources for additional, in-depth discussion.
Part II, Research Designs, includes description There is also a degree of intentional repetition; a
and discussion of different quantitative research number of concepts are discussed in different con-
designs, qualitative research designs, mixed meth- texts and from different perspectives. Also, at the
ods research designs, and action research designs. risk of eliciting more than a few groans, an attempt
Part III, Working with Quantitative and Qualitative has been made to sprinkle the text with touches
Data, includes two chapters devoted to the statisti- of humor-a hallmark of this text spanning four
cal approaches and the analysis and interpretation decades-and perhaps best captured by the pic-
of quantitative data, and two chapters describ- tures and quotes that open each chapter. Each chap-
ing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of ter includes a detailed, often lengthy summary \vith
qualitative data. Part IV, Reporting and Critiquing headings and subheadings directly parallel to those
Research, focuses on helping the student prepare in the chapter. The summaries are designed to facili-
a research report, either for the completion of a tate both the review and location of related text dis-
degree requ irement or for publication in a refer- cussion. Finally, each chapter (or part) concludes
eed journal, and an opportunity for the student to with suggested criteria for evaluating the associated
apply the skills and knowledge acqu ired in Parts I task and with an example of the task produced by
through III to critique a research report. a former introductory educational research student.
Full-length articles, reprinted from the educational
research literature, appear at the ends of all chapters
Strategy presenting research designs and serve as illustrations
This text represents more than just a textbook to of "real-life" research using that design. For the 12th
be incorporated into a course; it is a total instruc- edition all of these articles have been annotated \vith
tional system that includes stated learning out- descriptive and evaluative annotations.
comes, instruction, and procedures for evaluating
each outcome. The instructional strategy of the
system emphasizes the demonstration of skills and SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
individualization \vithin this structure. Each chap-
The following resources are available for instruc-
ter begins with a list of learning outcomes that
tors to download from W\"'v.p earsonhig h e red
describes the knowledge and skills that the student
.co m/educato r. Enter the author, title of the text,
should gain from the chapter. In many instances,
or the ISBN number, then select this text, and click
learning outcomes may be assessed either as writ-
on the "Resources" tab. Download the supplement
ten exercises submitted by students or by tests,
you need. If you require assistance in downloading
whichever the instructor prefers. In most chapters,
any resources, contact your Pearson representative.
a task to be performed is described next. Tasks
require students to demonstrate that they can per-
form particular research skills. Because each stu- Instructor's Resource Man ual
dent works with a different research problem, each With Test Bank
student demonstrates the competency requ ired by
a task as it applies to h is or her o,vn problem. \Vith The Instructor's Resource Manual with Test Bank
the exception of Chapter 1, an individual chapter is divided into two parts. The Instructor:~ Resource
is directed toward the atta inment of only one task Manual contains, for each chapter, suggested
(occasionally, students have a choice be~veen a activities that have been effectively used in Edu-
quantitative and qualitative task). cational Research courses, strategies for teaching,
Text discussion is intended to be as simple and and selected resources to supplement the textbook
straightfor,vard as possible. Whenever feasible, pro- content. The test bank contains multiple-choice
cedures are presented as a series of steps, and con- items covering the content of each chapter, newly
cepts are explained in terms of illustrative examples. updated for this edition, and can be printed and
In a number of cases, relatively complex topics or edited or used \vith TestGen®.
VII I PREFACE
Lorrie Gay's voice throughout the text, but increas- Finally, I \vant to thank my best friend and wife,
ingly there is an Aussie accent and sense of humor Dr. Donna Mills (Emeritus Professor, Southern Ore-
creeping its way into the pages! gon University), and my son, Jonathan, for their love,
I \vish to thank my friend and colleague support, and patience. Their commitment to my work
Dr. Adam Jordan (Associate Professor, University of is always appreciated and never taken for granted.
North Georgia) for his thoughtful work on revis- The completion of this edition signals another new
ing the descriptive and inferential statistics chapters era in my life as my son Jonathan has now graduated
and feedback and contributions on other quanti- from college, and Donna and I prepare for retire-
tative chapters in the text. Similarly, my friend and ment after long university careers.
colleague at Southern Oregon University, Dr. Dale
Geoff Mills
Vidmar, was instrumental in the revision of the
Etneritus Professor
reviewing the literature chapter.
Southern Oregon University
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Brief Contents
XI
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Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH 2 CHAPTER 3 SELECTING AND DEFINING
Tasks 1A, 1 B 3 A RESEARCH PROBLEM 76
Task 1C 3 Task 2 77
Welcome! 3 The Research Problem 77
The Scientific Method 4 Identifying a Research Problem 77
Limitations of the Scientific Method 4 Sources of Research Prob/ems 78
Application of the Scientific Method in Education 5 Narrowing the Problem 81
Different Approaches to Educational Research 6 Characteristics of Good Prob/ems 82
The Continuum of Research Philosophies 6 Stating the Research Prob/em 82
Quantitative Research 6 Developing Research Questions 83
Qualitative Research 7 Formulating and Stating a Hypothesis 85
Mixed Methods Research 8 Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses in
Characteristics of Quantitative and Qualitative Quantitative Studies 86
Research Approaches 8 Types of Hypotheses 87
Classification of Research by Design 10 Stating the Hypothesis 88
Quantitative Approaches 10 Testing the Hypothesis 89
Qualitative Approaches 13 Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses in
Classification of Research by Purpose 16 Qualitative Studies 89
Basic and Applied Research 16 Summary 91
Evaluation Research 17 Performance Criteria Task 2 93
Research and Development (R&D) 17
Action Research 17 CHAPTER 4 REVIEWING THE LITERATURE 94
Summary 20 Task 3A 95
Performance Criteria Task 1 23 Task 38 95
Tasks 1Aand 18 23 Review of Related Literature: Purpose and Scope 95
Task 1C 23 Qualitative Research and the Review of
Task 1A Quantitative Example 24 Related Literature 97
Task 1B Qualitative Example 48 Identifying Keywords and Identifying, Evaluating, and
Annotating Sources 97
Identifying Keywords 97
CHAPTER 2 ETHICS IN EDUCATIONAL
Identifying Your Sources 98
RSEARCH 60 Evaluating Your Sources 109
Task 1 D 61 Annotating Your Sources 111
Ethical Codes 61 Analyzing, Organizing, and Reporting the Literature 114
Informed Consent and Protection from Harm 62 Make an Outline 114
Deception 63 Analyze Each Reference in Terms of Your Outline 115
Ethical Issues Unique to Qua litative Research 64 Analyze the References Under Each Subheading
Navigating Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research 65 for Similarities and Differences 116
Action Research and /RBs 67 Give a Meaningful Overview of Past Research 116
xiii
XIV CONTENTS
Discuss the References Least Related to Your Problem CHAPTER 7 SELECTING MEASURING
First and Those Most Related to Your Problem Just INSTRUMENTS 166
Before the Statement of the Hypothesis 116
Task 6 167
Conclude the Review with a Brief Summary of the
Literature and Its Implications 116 Vignette: Big Pine School District 167
Meta-Analysis 119 Constructs 167
Summary 121 Variables 168
Performance Criteria Tasks 3A and 38 124 Measurement Scales and Variables 168
Tasks 3A and 38 124 Quantitative and Qualitative Variables 170
Task 3 Example 125 Dependent and Independent Variables 170
Characteristics of Measuring Instruments 171
Instrument Terminology 171
CHAPTER 5 PREPARING AND EVALUATING Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection Methods 172
A RESEARCH PLAN 128 Interpreting Instrument Data 172
Types of Measuring Instruments 173
Task 4A 129
Cognitive Tests 173
Task 48 129
Affective Tests 174
Definition and Purpose of a Research Plan 129
Projective Tests 177
Components of the Quantitative Research Plan 130
Criteria for Good Measuring Instruments 178
Introduction Section 130
Validity of Measuring Instruments 178
Method Section 131
Reliability of Measuring Instruments 182
Data Analysis 133
Test Selection, Construction, and Admin istration 187
Time Schedule 133
Selecting a Test 187
Budget 133
Sources of Test Information 188
Components of the Qualitative Research Plan 134
Selecting from Alternatives 190
Prior Fieldwork 134
Constructing Tests 191
Title 134
Test Administration 192
Introduction Section 134
Summary 194
Research Procedures Section 135
Performance Criteria Task 6 197
Appendixes 139
Task 6 Example 198
Revising and Improving the Research Plan 139
Summary 140
Performance Criteria Task 4 142
PART II RESEARCH DESIGNS
Task 4 Example 143
CHAPTER 8 SURVEY RESEARCH 200
Task 7A 201
CHAPTER 6 SELECTING A SAMPLE 146 Survey Research: Definition and Purpose 202
Task SA 147 Survey Research Designs 202
Task 58 147 Cross-Sectional Surveys 202
Sampling in Quantitative Research 147 Longitudinal Surveys 203
Defining a Population 148 Conducting Survey Research 203
Selecting a Random Sample 148 Conducting a Questionnaire Study 204
Determining Sample Size 155 Administering the Questionnaire 208
Avoiding Sampling Error and Bias 157 Summary 214
Selecting a Nonrandom Sample 158 Example: Survey Study 216
Sampling in Qua Iitative Research 159
Selecting Research Participants: Purposive
Sampling Approaches 160 CHAPTER 9 CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 222
Determining Sample Size 161 Task 78 223
Summary 162 Correlational Research: Definition and Purpose 224
Performance Criteria Task 5 164 The Correlational Research Process 225
Task SA Example 165 Problem Selection 225
CONTENTS xv
CHAPTER 1
Can Instructional and Emotional Support in the First-Grade Classroom Make a Difference for Children
at Risk of School Failure? 24
CHAPTER 8
To What Extent A re Literacy Initiatives Being Supp orted: Important Questions
for Administrators? 216
CHAPTER 9
Parental Involvement and Its Influence on the Reading Achievement of 6th Grade Students? 239
CHAPTER 10
Comp aring Longitudinal Academic Ach ievement of Full -Day and Half-Day
Kindergarten Students? 258
CHAPTER 11
Effects o f Mathematical Word Problem-Solving Instruction on M iddle School Students with
Learning Problems? 304
CHAPTER 12
Effects o f Functional Mobility Skills Train ing for Young Students with Physical Disabilities? 338
CHAPTER 13
For Whom the School Bell Tolls: Conflicting Voices Inside an A lternative High School? 362
CHAPTER 14
Preparing Preservice Teachers in a Diverse World? 392
CHAPTER 15
Using Community as a Resou rce for Teacher Education: A Case Study? 414
CHAPTER 16
How Should Middle-School Students with LD Approach On line Note Taking? A M ixed
M ethods Study? 442
CHAPTER 17
"Let's Talk": Discussions in a Biology Classroom: An Action Research Project? 463
CHAPTER 23
Gend er and Race as Variables in Psychosocial Adjustment to Mid dle and High School? 61 7
xix
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CHAPTER ONE
Introduction to
Educational Research
first goals, then, are to help you acquire a general the story, one day Aristotle caught a fly and carefully
understanding of research processes and to help counted and recounted the legs. He then announced
you develop the perspective of a researcher. \Y/e that flies have five legs. No one questioned the word
begin by examining the scientific method. of Aristotle. For years his finding was accepted uncrit-
ically. Unfortunately, the fly that Aristotle caught just
happened to be missing a leg! Whether or not you
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD believe the story, it illustrates the limitations of rely-
\Y/hat is knowledge? And ho\v do we come to ing on personal experience and authority as sources
"know" something? Experience is certainly one of of knowledge.
the fundamental \vays we come to know about and The story also points out a potential problem
understand our world. For example, a child who with inductive reasoning: Generalizing from a small
touches something hot learns that high heat hurts. sample, especially one that is atypical, can lead to
\Y/e know other things because a trusted authority, errors. Deductive reasoning, too, is limited by the evi-
such as a parent or a teacher, told us about them. dence in the original observations. If every research
1\1ost likely, much of your knowledge of current text really does have a chapter on sampling, and if
world events comes secondhand, from things you this book really is a research text, then it follo\vs that
have read o r heard from a source you trust. this book must have a chapter on sampling. How-
Another way we come to kno\v something is ever, if one or more of the premises is false (perhaps
through thinking, through reasoning. Reasoning some research texts do not have a chapter on sam-
refers to the process of using logical thought to pling), your conclusion may also be \vrong.
reach a conclusion. We can reason inductively or When we rely exclusively on these common
deductively. Ind uctive reasoning involves develop- approaches to kno\ving, the resulting knowledge is
ing generalizations based on observation of a limited susceptible to error and may be of limited value to
nLunber of related events or experiences. Consider understanding the world beyond our immediate expe-
the follo\ving example of ind uctive reasoning: rience. Ho\vever, experience, authority, and induc-
tive and deductive reasoning are very effective \vhen
Observation: An instructor examines five research used together as integral components of the scientific
textbooks. Each contains a chapter about method. The scie ntific method is an orderly process
sampling. entailing a nLunber of steps: recognition and definition
Generalization: The instructor concludes that all of a problem, formulation of hypotheses, collection of
research textbooks contain a chapter about data, analysis of data, and statement of conclusions
sampling. regarding confirmation or disconfirmation of the
Ded uctive reasonin g involves essentially the hypotheses (i.e., a researcher forms a hypothesis-an
reverse process-arriving at specific conclusions explanation for the occurrence of certain behaviors,
based on general principles, observations, or expe- phenomena, or events-as a way of predicting the
riences (i.e., generalizations)-as shown in the results of a research study and then collects data to
next example. test that prediction). These steps can be applied infor-
mally to solve everyday problems such as the most
Observations: All research textbooks contain a
efficient route to take from home to work or school,
chapter on sampling. The book you are reading the best time to go to the bank, or the best kind of
is a research text. computer to purchase. The more formal application
Generalization: This book must contain a chapter
of the scientific method is standard in research; it is
on sampling. (Does it?)
more efficient and more reliable than relying solely
Although people commonly use experience, on ex-perience, authority, inductive reasoning, and
authority, inductive reasoning, and deductive reason- deductive reasoning as sources of kno\vledge.
ing to learn new things and dra\v new conclusions
from that kno\vledge, each of these approaches to
understanding has limitations when used in isola-
Limitations of the Scientific Method
tion. Some problems associated \vith experience and The steps in the scientific method guide researchers
authority as sources of knowledge are graphically in planning, conducting, and interpreting research
illustrated in a story told about Aristotle. According to studies. However, it is important to recognize some
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through Chief Inspector, Assistant-Superintendent, or
Superintendent. These tactics gave me much trouble at first, but they
worked out well in the end. In trying to serve four or five superior
officers, I had failed to give satisfaction to any one. In fact they
seemed to have conspired to belittle me with the Deputy, possibly in
the fear that I might get preferment. Over all my superior officers was
the High Chief Pot Hole Expert; a small, hook-nosed individual, who,
although of an unpleasant and hard disposition, was honest, just and
far-seeing. He did not take to me very kindly at first, but by a smiling
and ever-ready willingness on my part, and with much patience and
perseverance, I forced him at last to take consideration of me and
my work.
My Third Minister, having been indiscreet in several directions,
was forced to retire to private life. Exactly what was his indiscretion
no one seemed to know. Of course, all kinds of tales, most of them
quite untrue, were told about the matter. The fact remains that he
retired suddenly and my Fourth Minister took his place.
The Fourth Minister was full of guile; smooth and wily in all his
ways. A quiet man of few words, biding his time like a fat spider, with
a good retentive web in which he had perfect confidence. You have
no doubt observed such spiders. They are never in a wild rush when
a fly gets into their meshes. They know that any fly that falls into their
web is surely caught, so they proceed very quietly and leisurely,
without excitement, towards the business of tying up Mr. Fly, and
extracting his vital fluid.
My Fourth Minister was the instrument of Providence in my
release from pot holes.
He and I had never met, but of course I knew him by sight. One
Government holiday, when the buildings were deserted, I came to
my office for one purpose or another. Mr. “The Fourth” was by Fate
moved similarly. We met in the hall.
“Good morning, Mr. Minister,” I said, touching my hat respectfully.
“Oh, good morning, Mr. Ah——, Mr. Ah——” He stumbled over my
name, of which he had no idea. “Coming to see me, I suppose?
Well, I’m sorry, but I’m very busy this morning. If you will write me a
letter in your matter, I will give it my attention.”
I appreciated in a second the mistake he had made. Never
dreaming that I was only one of his employees, he had jumped to the
conclusion that I was some one wanting something, who had lain in
wait for him. I thanked him profusely, shook his hand once more, and
left him promising to write the letter about the matter, which was
unknown to both of us.
Four congratulated himself that he had put off some one, who was
about to ask for something. I thought little of the incident at the time,
but it turned out important, as will be seen. Several weeks passed
by, and I had nearly forgotten the occurrence when Mr. Clay of
Montreal walked into my office. Mr. Clay had been one of my old
acquaintances. He had been in many business ventures, and had
made much money. He really did not need any more money than he
had, but he liked the business game for itself. It was the only game
he could play. After we had greeted each other, and he was seated
by my desk, he explained the reason of his call.
“I am here,” he said, “to see you in the first place.”
“Indeed.”
“Yes. I believe you can be of some use to me. As you know, I am
in many things. One of the most important is our Blank factory. Now
for reasons which I need not explain just now, I need your Minister. I
am going to see him this morning, but before going to him I thought it
might be wise to call on you and discover what manner of man he is.
I want you to warn me against any peculiarities he may have; tell me
when and how to see him; and how best to approach him.”
At once I saw an opportunity for a little mild amusement. “You
have come to the right man,” I assured him. “I know my Minister like
a book. Now listen to me. He is not difficult to see. Any one can see
him, but to get anything out of him is quite another matter. He is
smooth, very smooth. He will listen to you with patience; he will smile
knowingly and be deeply interested in your affairs. When you are run
down, he will turn quietly and blandly to you and say, ‘Well, Mr. Clay,
I quite understand you. Write me a letter in the matter, and it will
have my earnest attention. I am busy this morning, so will bid you
good-bye.’ If you leave him then you are done. You will never see
him again, and your letters will all be filed. I give you this information
in confidence, for what it is worth; govern yourself accordingly.”
“That,” said Mr. Clay, “is just the kind of information I want. I
assure you I am very glad to get it. Now I know what to do.” And he
left me to visit the Minister.
Three days afterwards I met Clay on Sparks Street. When he
caught sight of me his face was wreathed in smiles. He grasped me
warmly by the hand and said, “Wesblock, you are certainly a
prophet.”
“How?” I asked.
“Why, my boy, it was really funny. I was coming to see you this
morning to tell you all about it. I saw your Minister and everything
happened just as you said it would. When he said, ‘Write me a letter
in the matter,’ I nearly laughed in his face; but being forewarned I
was ready for him. I said, ‘No, Mr. Minister, I will not write any letter. I
will come again as often as you like, but I want this matter settled,
and your decision to act or not to act given to me personally.’ Well,
sir, he was taken back. He hummed and hawed, and I followed him
up and landed him just like a fish. I leave for Montreal to-day. You will
hear something from me soon.”
I had lunch with Clay that day, and told him how I had come to be
informed of the Minister’s method. Clay left for Montreal in the
afternoon. Within thirty days he once more sat in my office. He had
momentous things to say to me. He was so pleased with himself,
with my Minister, with his business, and with me, that he offered me
a very good position in one of his large manufacturing companies,
which I refused on the spot without much consideration.
“What!” said Clay in astonishment, when he heard my decision,
“you refuse to come out of the rut? I fully expected you to fall upon
my neck and shed tears of joy.”
“Yes,” I replied, “I have to refuse. In fifteen years my roots have
gone down too far. Your offer comes too late. There was a time when
I would have fallen upon your neck and wept tears of gratitude. Now,
I can only refuse with thanks. If you desire to be of assistance to me
you may do so while leaving me to my Civil Service fate.”
“Tell me how,” said Clay, “and I will be very happy to do anything I
can do.”
“Well,” I said, “I believe I am above pot holes. You are a powerful
person in the business world. You move among people of influence.
Bring me into the favourable notice of my Minister.”
“My dear Wesblock,” said Clay, “it is a sad sight to see a man of
your type with ambition dead.”
“My ambition is not dead,” I said, “it is only subdued and is more
modest than formerly. I have ambition still, but my desires are
towards things that I believe are best for a man of my kind.”
“You always were an odd fish,” he said. “I cannot understand you.
Are you the same Wesblock whom I remember? The gambler and
sport who began with a shoe string, and ended with a hundred
thousand dollars?”
The sum he mentioned made me smile. “Not as much as that,
Clay,” I said, “that is more than four times as much as I ever was
worth.”
“Well, anyhow,” he said, “you made a great deal of money in a
very short time, and then threw up the game.”
“Yes, I did,” said I, “but I am happier now than I was then.”
“Happy!” he exclaimed, “happy? Are you really happy?”
“Comparatively, yes,” I answered. “I am as close to happiness as
any one I know.”
“Then you are indeed to be congratulated,” said Clay. “I will see
what can be done towards making you more so, for I like you. You
have always amused me, and sometimes instructed me, and you
have been useful to me once at least.”
This closed the argument, and he left me with smiles, promises
and compliments; he was a genial soul for a mere business man with
one idea.
I was sorry in many ways to refuse Clay’s offer, but I had four
young Wesblocks to be thought of who were no longer children. I
believed that it would have been very unwise to transplant them
when they had so benefited by the Ottawa soil. The social and
mental atmosphere of Ottawa is a very different thing from that of
modern Montreal, who, as she grows in size and wealth becomes
contaminated with all the social diseases of the great American
cities.
CHAPTER XXII
Time passed, and I had nearly forgotten Clay and his promises,
when one day a messenger came to me to inform me that my
presence was desired in the Minister’s office. Although this was an
unusual occurrence, I was not much surprised. I had been called by
ministers before for causes of the slightest. A minister is a little tin
god who calls whom he likes, when he likes. Even men of Great
Business hasten to appear when he says “Come.” I was not
prepared, therefore, for any new move, nor did I expect to be
reprimanded by such a mighty personage. I thought I might be asked
to answer some simple questions or be instructed to attend to some
petty office such as replacing some favoured one who had been
given leave of absence. Ministers condescend to interest themselves
in small things sometimes. Judge, then, of my astonishment on
entering the minister’s office, when he received me in his very
smoothest manner. I was positively frightened.
“Ah! good morning, Mr. Wesblock,” he said, rising and offering me
his plump but firm hand. “Sit down.”
I sat. My face, no doubt, showed my astonishment, for he laughed
softly.
“Mr. Wesblock,” said my Minister, still smiling, “we have met
before, I think, eh?”
“We have, sir,” I said, “but I hardly think you remember it.”
“I remember it very well,” he said. “You see our meeting was an
incident too good to be kept, so your friend Mr. Clay has told it to
several of my friends, through whom it comes to me.” And he again
laughed softly at my evident embarrassment. I was thunderstruck.
“I am very sorry, Mr. Minister,” I stammered; “Mr. Clay has been
very unkind in repeating what I told him. I assure you there was no
malicious intention on my part.”
“Tut, tut,” said the Minister, “don’t apologise. You acted wisely, and
Clay was not unkind. The mistake was mine.”
“I am very sorry;” I began again lamely.
“No necessity to be sorry,” said he. “I have a sense of humour, and
quite understand how the whole thing came about. Clay has told me
everything.”
“I am obliged to Mr. Clay,” I said, rising from my chair with as much
dignity as I could command. I was very uncomfortable, and hoped
the roasting was over.
“Pray sit down,” said the Minister. “I wish to talk to you.”
Again I sat.
“I understand,” he said, “that you do not like pot holes.”
“Not particularly,” I replied, wondering what was coming next.
“You consider yourself above pot holes?” he asked.
“I admit the charge,” I said.
“Very good,” said the Minister. “You do not desire to leave the
Service, Mr. Clay tells me.”
“Mr. Clay has also told you why, I suppose,” I replied, beginning to
have a hazy idea that all was well.
“Yes,” replied he, “and I have looked into your case. You have a
good record for fifteen years.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“I will not prolong your discomfort,” said he. “I propose to increase
your responsibilities and your salary. You may thank our accidental
meeting and Mr. Clay for this.”
I expressed my gratefulness as well as I could and left the
minister’s office the most dazed Civil servant that ever existed. My
exit amused the Minister greatly. He shook me by the hand once
more and wished me well, and as the door closed behind me I could
hear his soft laugh. His promise was promptly carried out, and I left
pot holes for ever shortly after my memorable visit to his office. It
was well for me that he was prompt in this, for before many months
had passed a measure which seemed good to the Government
seemed bad to the people, and my Minister went down in the
overthrow.
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