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The Far Side of Heterogeneity

A Critical Analysis of Empirical Subtyping Research in Learning Disabilities

Kenneth A. Kavale received his PhD from the Uni-versity of Minnesota. He is professor and chair, Divi-sion of Special Education, The University of Iowa, Iowa City. His research interests are learning dis-abilities and meta-analysis. Address: Kenneth A. Kavale, Division of Special Education, N259 Lindquist Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City. IA 52242.

Steven R. Forness

Steven R. Forness received his EdD from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, and director of the inpatient school at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. His research interests are learning disabilities and be-havioral disorders.

The paper evaluates critically recent research aimed at empirically identifying homogeneous subtypes of learning disability. The problem of heterogeneity is discussed as well as philosophical, conceptual, and methodological concerns associated with present subtype research. Comparisons are drawn with classification efforts in the natural sciences and parallels are drawn for application to classification in learning disabilities. In general, subtyping research in learning disabilities is viewed positively, but problematic aspects seem presently to limit its usefulness. To overcome these dif-ficulties, it is suggested that researchers strive for more commonality with respect to both methods and measures used for subtype analysis, and that researchers pool their ef-forts. In this way, a single classification scheme for learning disabilities could be developed that would possess wide relevance for reducing heterogeneity and improving educational efforts.

Journal of Learning Disabilities, Vol. 20, No. 6, 374-382 (1987)
DOI: 10.1177/002221948702000615


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