Experimenters sometimes wish to estimate for a particular dependent variable the proportion of total group variance that is associated with mean differences among fixed treatments or subject classifications. Hays (1981) represents this proportion by the parameter omega squared. A point estimate may be easily computed as a function of the number of…

In order to examine the possible effects of violation of assumptions using parametric procedures, this study is an exploratory investigation into the use of parametric versus nonparametric procedures using a multiple case study design. The case study investigation guidelines outlined by Yin served as the methodology. The following univariate…

This three-part article introduces a population dynamics model of an information processing system. The first part describes the general model and defines the terms used, the second describes the functional relationships between components, and the third explores the hypothesized emergence of increasingly complex, hierarchical information systems.…

This paper provides researchers with a method of determining sample size for a given power level in the preparation of a single group exploratory repeated measure analysis. The rationale for determining sample size which takes into consideration the powers and assumptions of both the adjusted univariate and multivariate repeated measures tests is…

A study was conducted to evaluate six goodness-of-fit procedures using data simulation techniques. The procedures evaluated included the weighted average absolute deviation (WAAD), the mean absolute deviation (MAD), Bock's chi-square (BCHI), Yen's chi-square (YCHI), Wright and Mead's chi-square (WCHI), and the likelihood ratio chi-square (LCHI)…

The value of variance is emphasized, and the element of design, frequently not adequately understood, is clarified to underscore the importance of variance to the researcher. Two analytic methods, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression, are discussed in terms of how each uses/applies variance. Advantages and major difficulties with…

Analysis of current models describing citer motivations identified seven most significant motivations for authors: currency scale, negative credit, operational information, persuasiveness, positive credit, reader alert, social consensus. Motivational background for more than 900 citational acts of 26 authors at University of Iowa were gathered and…

Reports on a study of the effects of participation in public library summer reading programs on children's reading skills. Results on a standardized test administered to 279 students in grades 1-5 in May and September are analyzed and compared for participants and nonparticipants in the summer reading program. (MES)

For this evaluation of a multicultural education unit, Staged Innovation Design, which allows for experimental group posttest scores to be compared to control-replication group pretest and posttest scores to ascertain instructional effectiveness, was modified by adding a simultaneous pretest for both groups to control for threats to internal…

Addresses applications of the coefficient of variation as a measure of educational inequality or as a means of measuring changes of inequality status. Suggests the Gini coefficient has many advantages over the coefficient of variation since it can be used with the Lorenz curve (Lorenz provides detail Gini omits). (BRR)

Describes a study of 31 undergraduate students that explored their preferences for and the relationships among text format variables in computer screen layouts. The design of 64 computer text types for the study is explained, results are analyzed, and further research questions related to learning strategies are suggested. (LRW)

This investigation of the effects of age, gender, college status, and computer experience on students' attitudes toward an online catalog measured student attitudes on three subscales--computer anxiety, computer confidence, and computer liking. Results of analysis of variance showed that computer experience was significantly related to computer…

This study presents exploratory evidence to prove that student computer usage is correlated with academic performance using course grades as an academic performance measure. No conclusive evidence was found to indicate student performance and computing are related, but a significant relationship between course instructor and computer usage was…

A study of genre fiction classification used circulation data and a patron questionnaire to test whether physically separating fiction into categories will increase use; marking spines with category labels will increase use; use of classified fiction will increase with library size; and classification will increase the number of different books…

This study contrasted college-level computer assisted instruction modules with various ratios of higher cognitive to factual questions and highlights to determine the effectiveness of highlights and question formats. Results indicate that, regardless of the ratio of higher cognitive to factual questions, modules containing questions are superior…