This article summarizes results from 12 empirical evaluations of observational methods in education contexts. We look at the performance of three common covariate-types in observational studies where the outcome is a standardized reading or math test. They are: pretest measures, local geographic matching, and rich covariate sets with a strong…

This review of methods used to assess the clinical performance of medical students focuses on four common assessment approaches: (1) the examination developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME); (2) systematic, multifactor evaluation methods; (3) observation techniques; and (4) problem based methods. Analyzed in conjunction with…

During the 1960s and 1970s an enormous amount of research was conducted to better understand children's social and intellectual development, and hundreds of educational programs for children and parents were initiated in hopes of improving conditions surrounding many of America's young children. By the middle 1970s, however, it became apparent…