Across all social science disciplines, but in particular public administration, there is a shared concern about the costs of using traditional random samples to generate data, and its impact on researchers' ability to engage in "quality" research. As a result of these costs, more academics, practitioners, and students are turning to…

Diagnostic assessment is currently an active research area in educational measurement. Literature related to diagnostic modeling has been in existence for several decades, but a great deal of research has been conducted within the last decade or so, especially within the last five years. The author summarizes the key components in the application…

In this article, we use a recent Manitoba child custody case to provide a legal and ethical account of the notion of the best interests of the child. We explore the tension between the best interests of the child and parental rights to expression of a racist nature. We consider how the interests of different actors--the state, parents and…

Describes a modified version of the tree diagram used to make probability more meaningful. (MKR)

Applies elementary concepts of probability to a hotly debated question in football. Shows that the probability of winning is the same either way but the probability of losing is greater under the one-first strategy. (MKR)

Presents a mathematics problem on probability and matrices placed in a context with insects. Provides an overview, prerequisites, materials needed, and worksheets. (ASK)

Discusses an old and quite surprising musical example that provides good challenges in probability theory ranging from practical routine computations to fundamental and philosophical ones, and extended with the engineering design task of generating random numbers. (ASK)

Simple, classroom-tested probability activities that capture students' interest, develop critical thinking skills, and reinforce addition facts are suggested. All activities involve investigating the probabilities of the sums that come up when two dice are tossed. (MT)

The concept of statistical significance is explained, with specific numerical illustrations. (MNS)

A computer program that allows students to simulate an experiment in probability is given, with specific suggestions on how to use and study the program. (MNS)

A way of presenting the Poisson process and deriving the Poisson distribution for upper-division courses in probability or mathematical statistics is presented. The main feature of the approach lies in the formulation of Poisson postulates with immediate intuitive appeal. (MNS)

A model for comparing risks to resources with exposures to hazards is described and then applied to the physical educator. (JMF)

Shares experiences of teaching probability from a constructivist perspective. Discusses the role of cognitive conflict, teaching the unit, and evaluation processes. (ASK)

Presents a probability activity addressing students' misconceptions regarding the Law of Large Numbers. Provides students with better conceptual understanding of the Law of Large Numbers. (ASK)

Provides background information on genetics and presents a mathematics activity that uses genetics to study probability. (ASK)